Eamonn Martin, Chairman of Basildon athletics club and the last British male winner of the London Marathon in 1993, says: “The Sporting Village
will be great for Basildon, and great for sports in general, not just
athletics, but swimming, gymnastics and general fitness.
“Basildon and Essex has been sorely lacking facilities of this type for many years, and this is much needed. Bringing all sports together is going to be a major benefit for all of us, and the clubs will be able to feed off of each other, sharing experience, opportunities and advice to each other. This facility will be magnificent for sports and leisure in the area, and we cannot wait for it to open.”
The plans came under scrutiny after the council admitted it would need to sell off playing fields in other areas of the town to help fund completion of the multi-million pound centre.
The Enquirer revealed last week how a council meeting called to discuss these plans had to be cancelled after hundreds of locals turned up to oppose the move – only for the meeting to be cancelled on “health and safety” grounds.
Defending the project Mr Martin continued: “I can understand that some people are concerned with the selling off of some land, but we are in very tough times, and the Council has had to make some tough decisions about funding such a major project. It is time that local people embraced change and not become automatically opposed to it. Individual leisure time is on the increase and this is exactly what Basildon Council are trying to assist with and make plans for the future. People’s expectation of leisure is evolving all the time. I think it is fantastic that the Council has shown the ambition to do this and are making it a reality.”
When completed the Basildon Sporting Village will offer a 50 metre swimming pool, regional gymnastics centre, sports hall, five a side football, fitness suite and climbing wall whilst providing a new base for the South Essex Gymnastics Club.
Head Coach at the club, Scott Hann, also backed the plans saying: “This whole move is fantastic for our club and our 1,600 members and we cannot wait to move in April 2011.
“Not only will we be able to give better facilities to our 1600 members,
but attract many more, from pre-school children, right through to potential
Olympians, working with children with special needs, and offering classes
for some problematic children that helps to keep them off the streets.
“Whilst we can understand some of the residents concerns around the land
sales, I would ask them to see the bigger picture and how the Sporting
Village will provide an amazing venue for all the people of the District, a
venue that we can all be proud of and will put Basildon on the sporting
map.”
On hearing the news Cllr Kevin Blake, the Council’s cabinet member for leisure and arts said: “I am delighted that we have this support from our local clubs and the thousands of members. It is heartening to know what a difference the Sporting Village will make to their clubs and the activities they can provide for the people of Basildon.”