Sport Industry Group

Council takes over water sports centre- 3 Apr 2009 00:00:00

The running of the National Water Sports Centre near Nottingham, a key training venue for a number of water sports such as rowing and canoeing, has been taken over by the county council.

Sport England decided not to renew its lease on Holme Pierrepont as it is funding other facilities in the south of England ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

The centre has a 2,000-metre regatta lake, slalom course and water ski lake.

The council has said athletes will continue to train at the site, which will also be improved as an attraction for families.

A new £700,000 water slalom course has just opened at the site and the council, which owns the centre, has said it plans to invest up to £10m there.

County Councillor Chris Baron said: ‘This centre is something special for Nottinghamshire people we're hoping to make it the hub for water sports, not only in Nottinghamshire but for the East Midlands.

‘It's more than a water sports centre it's a country park and a place to be a family again.

‘It is outdated and that's why we're going to put capital investment in here to make sure it is attractive for everybody.’

The centre, which opened more than 30 years ago, is accredited by the British Olympic Association as a training venue for canoeing and hosted the World Rowing Championships in 1975 and 1986.