A Future for Crystal Palace Sports Centre
The future of Crystal Palace Sports Centre has been secured, thanks to a rescue plan announced in February.
Sport England, which runs the south London venue, will extend its lease by two years while the London Development Agency (LDA) develops plans for its future.
The announcement that the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace would stay open was made by the Minister for Sport, the Mayor of London, the London Development Agency, the London Borough of Bromley and Sport England.
The package was put together after Bromley Council said it could not afford to maintain the centre at the end of Sport England's lease in March.
The move means the stadium can still host this year's athletics Grand Prix and work will begin immediately on updating the running track in time for the competition which begins in July.
Under the terms of the agreement, which were negotiated by the Mayor and Minister for Sport Richard Caborn (with support from the Government Office for London), Sport England will take a further two year lease of the Crystal Palace Sports Centre, so that the centre can remain open while the London Development Agency draw up detailed plans for a redeveloped or replacement sports centre.
This will also allow work to start on re-surfacing the track at Crystal Palace stadium to bring the facility up to the necessary standards for hosting the Grand Prix in the summer. The London Development Agency will take over the lease of the National Sports centre in two years time and has also taken an option to take over the running of the Park within five years.
The London Development Agency will immediately start working with local groups and stakeholders to produce plans for an enhanced sports centre and Park.
Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport said:
"Crystal Palace is an important part of our sporting heritage. I am glad that this government - in partnership with the GLA, the LDA, Bromley Council and Sport England - has managed to find a solution for its future. This means that Crystal Palace will continue to provide its facilities not just for the excellent Grand Prix event, but on a daily basis to both the London community and our top level athletes."
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