Construction of the £200 million London 2012 Aquatics Centre is on track to start this summer after it was granted planning permission.

The independent Planning Committee for the Olympic Park approved the plans for the Aquatics Centre after public consultation was incorporated into the design development of details such as accessibility and changing facilities in legacy.

The 17,500 capacity Aquatics Centre will form the 'gateway' to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and transform into a 2,500 - 3,500 community and elite swimming and diving facility in legacy.

The Planning Committee approved the Games time and legacy plans for the Aquatics Centre which both included design developments that incorporated feedback from a programme of consultation with local people and other groups providing specialist advice on areas such as faith, community and club swimming, design and accessibility.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “I am delighted we are nearing the end of the long and detailed planning phase for the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics.

“The planning has been comprehensive and we will have a stunning facility to come out of this phase. Whilst there have been challenges, what has emerged is a pool that will deliver not only for the Olympics but also for the London community for many years to come.”

Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive David Higgins said: "This decision keep us on track to start the construction of an iconic venue for the London 2012 Games and the new community and elite swimming and diving facility that London desperately needs.

"We have appointed a world class construction contractor, the site is almost ready and this summer people will see a new landmark for London start to emerge from what was one of the most contaminated parts of the Olympic Park."

The Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre is located in the south of the Olympic Park and will be the main 'Gateway into the Games', hosting swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo finals and the swimming discipline of the modern pentathlon.

The Aquatics Centre will have a capacity of 17,500 during the Games, reducing to a maximum of 2,500, with the ability to add 1,000 for major events in legacy, and provide two 50 metre swimming pools and a diving pool, facilities that London does not have at present.
 
Balfour Beatty has recently been appointed to build the Aquatics Centre and huge land-bridge that forms the roof of the training pool and the main pedestrian access to the Olympic Park, construction work will start by the Beijing Games and be complete in 2011. 
 
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The Kirklees Swimming Training Programme is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary with continued success for its young swimmers.

The programme - along with the Borough of Kirklees Club - was set up in 1982 to help the best swimmers in local clubs by providing coaching, competition and the necessary pool time for the hours of training essential to reaching the top of the sport.

Over the years it has paid dividends. Two swimmers have in the past been selected for the Great Britain Youth Olympic Team -  Heather Hudson (1993) and Tom McLean (1995). Helen Jepson reached the England Senior Squad in 1992 as did Debbie Armitage in 1994.

Debbie was also selected for the GB European Team in 1993. Other swimmers have achieved selection for national youth and junior squads.

Only on home soil could success have been sweeter. So, with hopes and aspirations firmly directed at the 2012 London Olympics, it is perhaps appropriate in this milestone year for two BoK swimmers to have been selected for the 2012 Olympics *target* squad.  

For 15-year-old Lewis Dyson, who swims freestyle, and 16-year-old Katy Venters, a backstroke swimmer, their dreams are one step closer.

However, it will take continued time, effort and top drawer performances to get them into the Olympic squad proper.

Katy has also had her first national team call-up.  In August, she’ll represent Great Britain in a Tri-nations competition in Canada (France making up the trio of countries competing). 

She's also just learned that she's been selected for the England Youth Squad for the Youth Commonwealth Games in India in October.

Katy's trip to Canada means she will miss the Great Britain national championships where she got a third in the 16&under 100m backstroke last year. Lewis, who came second last year in the 14&under freestyle, hopes the championships will see him finish the season on a high.

International honours have also come to BoK's special needs squad. Kelly Robinson (16) and Joanne Kempley (18) will be part of the Great Britain team competing in the Down Syndrome World Championships in Portugal in November.

With around 40 swimming meets a season to train for, 25th anniversary celebrations have been fairly low key.  There has been time, though, for a fun swimming gala, an activities day and barbecue and special t-shirts and hats.

For Kirklees Swimming Development Officer and Chief Coach Martin Mosey, who’s headed the training programme for the last 22 years, the 25 years milestone is not a time to look back and bask in past glory but a launch pad to take swimming in Kirklees to even greater success.

He commented: 'After 22 years working for BOK, I have seen lots of changes and my role within the club has definitely changed over the years. Although very demanding, working with the swimmers has been very rewarding and it gives me a great deal of pleasure seeing these young swimmers improve and in some cases become the best in the country for their age.

'After an absence of a few years we are now starting to get swimmers onto national teams again, and target swimmers for 2012, which is exciting for all concerned with the club. The future for the club is looking very bright and I hope to be around for a few more years yet to see how it goes.'

Cllr Liz Smaje, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Leisure and Neighbourhood Services, added: 'It is important that we continue to provide the best possible opportunities for young swimmers that aspire to be the next generation of serious competitive swimmers.

The Kirklees Swimming Training Scheme and BOK have worked well together over the years to support these young athletes and we look forward to continued success in
the future.'

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For further information contact Martin Mosey, Kirklees Swimming Development Officer and Chief Coach, tel: 01484 234091/07850 845282, email: martin.mosey@kirklees.gov.uk