Greenwich 'must host' 2012 equestrian events

First choice: Greenwich Park has been earmarked as an Olympic venue in a government-commissioned study

5 April 2012

The future of Greenwich Park as the Olympic equestrian venue appears to have been secured after a government commissioned study backed the plan.

Initial findings from a cost analysis of three 2012 venues by accountants KPMG are also expected to endorse Woolwich Barracks as an Olympic shooting venue which may be scaled down, the Standard has learned.

A draft of the report, circulated to ministers, the Mayor and 2012 chiefs, is also expected to say that costs could be cut by moving the temporary basketball from its intended location in the Olympic Park.

KPMG was commissioned in the summer by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell to investigate whether cost savings could be made by relocating any of the three venues, which will all be temporary.

The report will be completed in weeks and its recommendations discussed at the next Olympic Board meeting next month. Accountants from KPMG, who gave advice during the bid stage, have based their early findings on venue specifications and detailed budget figures - both provided by Games chiefs.

The accountants' likely approval of Greenwich Park may prove most controversial.

Its choice as the riding venue has met stiff opposition from local campaign groups. This comes despite assurances by organising committee Locog that it will repair any damage to the park and minimise disruption.

KPMG is likely to conclude that relocating any one of the three equestrian events - dressage, jumping and eventing - to an alternative venue would be too expensive since a satellite venue would require bespoke security, stabling and media facilities. A source said: "The review is in its first draft at the moment and has reached no conclusions. However, there are unlikely to be any great changes since there is no accounting argument for it."

The national shooting centre in Bisley, Surrey, is expected to be ruled out as an alternative to the shooting range at Woolwich Barracks.

There has been opposition to the temporary London venue by the national governing body, which has campaigned for a permanent legacy from the Games.

It is thought that dwindling participation in the sport means there is no argument for investing in permanent shooting facilities in Bisley.

Games chiefs have argued that moving the event to Bisley, which was earmarked as the shooting venue during the bid, would add to the 2012 budget, not least because they would have to create a second athletes' village nearby for up to 500 shooters.

Instead, Games chiefs will seek to cut costs at Woolwich from the current budget of £24 million.

Accountants from KPMG continue to agonise over their verdict on the basketball venue which triggered their cost-value analysis in the first place. The temporary arena is currently earmarked for the northeast of the Olympic park but Games chiefs could make substantial savings if they find a nearby alternative to the proposed £60 million venue.

But ExCel in the Royal Victoria Dock will be at full capacity as host of other Olympic events. Wembley Arena is considered too small and the O² Arena has no extra space as host of the gymnastics and basketball finals.

The Olympic Delivery Authority believes there is little remaining scope for change since they have already moved two planned temporary facilities out of the park. The volleyball will take place at Earl's Court and ExCel is due to host the fencing.

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Greenwich 'must host' 2012 equestrian events

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