Portadown 2000 in watersports centre race
2008-11-10
One of Portadown's two 'town companies' has announced that plans are well underway to rebid for an Olympic Watersports Centre.Portadown 2000 has confirmed they are racing against time to meet the deadline for the second stage of competition, after the project was cancelled earlier this year due to funding problems from Craigavon Borough Council.
Now, a design team and business consultants have been appointed and the company now has until November 28 to submit an additional business case to Sport Northern Ireland.
Brian Walker, chairman of Portadown 2000, said: "Portadown 2000 is very pleased to move forward to the next stage of the bidding process for a Northern Ireland Olympic Watersports Centre (NIOWC).
"This promises to be a sporting venue of truly international significance that will not only enhance sport participation across the Province and the Island of Ireland but will also provide a lasting legacy for the potential Olympic athletes of the future."
If Portadown 2000 does host the centre it must make sure it meets Part B regulations, although the centrepiece of the NIOWC is a 2,000 metre rowing and canoeing lake.
Plans for a whitewater canoe slalom feature are also being investigated.
Portadown 2000 has confirmed it has rebid to home an Olympics Watersports Centre.
