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BEDFORD GOING FOR GOLD
Bedford Borough Council’s Sport, Fitness Health and Well being initiative, Project iVita, hosted a Keynote Seminar on Business Opportunities arising from the Bedford Rowing Lake Project on Thursday. The speakers were Chris Watts, Chief Executive of the Governments delivery body, Renaissance Bedford, Tony Talbot, Managing Director of the Marston Vale Community Forest, Ian Peck of Bidwells and Simon White of Bedfordshire County Council and Star Rowing Club. Alison Slatcher of iVita commented, 'The iVita Keynote seminar on Business Opportunities arising from the rowing lake was very successful: the event was full to capacity with delegates ranging from property developers, environmental bodies, sport promoters health businesses and potential entrepreneurs.' Alison added, 'The common message was 'lets make this happen and put our town on the map - now!' Ian Rowe of PR Matters, Chairing the seminar, said, ‘The overwhelming view expressed was that the 2300 metre rowing lake would be a key asset in putting Bedford on the map as a destination.’ He added, ‘It is without doubt a prestige project and there will be difficulties to overcome. However, much like Sir Steve Redgrave overcame injury and chronic illness to win five Olympic gold medals, I have little doubt that the will is there to build a 2300 metre lake, as specified in its planning permission.’ One delegate, Kevin Farmer of Heart Beat Events in Milton Keynes put forward his view when the floor was open to questions, ‘There is a huge growth area in off road running events, be it triathlon, or plain running and a facility such as this would be absolutely invaluable in putting Bedford on the sport and leisure map.’ The rowing lake project will almost certainly be delivered in two stages with an initial 1300 metres available to train on within a comparatively short timescale as a result of mineral extraction to commence before the end of this year; the remaining 1000 metres deliverable as a result of possible clean up of contaminated land near Willington as a condition of possible enabling development. Simon White of Bedfordshire County Council and Bedford’s premier rowing club, Star Club said, ‘For this project to be the attraction Bedford needs we must see the 2300 metre lake implemented as soon as practicably possible. There has been enough delay to date and it is quite plain that the lake can be facilitated provided the will is there to make the right decisions, be it concerning contaminated land, possible development of facilities etc, flood defence and future protection of habitat.’ The legacy of such a project is almost too big to contemplate; a wildlife haven for Bedford for all time, a top drawer sports training venue, and the simple pleasure of walking round a substantial body of water. This is a real opportunity for Bedford to build its status as a destination with a centre of gravity and critical mass to see inward investment from visitors, businesses and sport. Much like Steve Redgrave, it will simply take the will power to overcome any issues and get that gold medal.
Background The Forest of Marston Vale proposes to develop the gravel extraction pits visible from the Bedford Southern Bypass into a countryside leisure park with areas of natural beauty, large rowing lake, sports village and science park. Proposals also include areas of woodland, swimming lakes with beaches, an equestrian route, wetland area, cycle route and ancient monuments. The main objective of the rowing lake is to provide a training rowing lake of international standard to attract athletes from the UK and abroad to what will be the most user friendly water in the UK, due to its topography, orientation and shallow depth. The lake will be approximately 2,300m long by 108m wide featuring sculptured banks and extensive reed beds to provide appropriate wildlife habitat. Click here to see planning. The proposal compares favourably to Banyoles Lake in Northern Spain around which a unique new economy has arisen. Do you support these plans? What other exciting opportunities could there be? Your thoughts and views are valuable and could shape the development of the park and local economy. Please click on the lnks below to see related articles in the press. Use the 'back' button in your browser to return to this page. NEW - Bedford Rowing Lake Newsletter Bedford Today Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 23/05/06 - Article 4 23/05/06 - Message Board Comments Bedford on Sunday 01/05/06 - Four Page Spread in the BOS - Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 23/05/06 - Article 1 |
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