Royston Rockets BMX Club has secured Olympic legacy funding from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.
Sport England today revealed that more than 1,000 local sports projects across the country have now received National Lottery funding through Inspired Facilities, which is part of the £150 million Places People Play legacy programme. Every sports facility that receives funding will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark – celebrating the link to the Games.
Royston Rockets will receive £50,000 of National Lottery funding which, together with financial support from North Hertfordshire District Council, will enable the complete rebuilding to modern standards of the current racing track at Burns Road, Royston. The Club, which has produced national champions in various age groups, hopes that the new track will offer a better training and racing experience for the Club’s current members, and encourage others new to the sport.
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said: “This National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Cambridgeshire from last year’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“With so many clubs in the East having benefitted from this fund already and building on the success of last summer, this is the legacy people want for their local community.”
Club Chairman, Phil Townsend, said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding. It will enable us to rebuild our BMX race track to the current standards needed for our members and the numerous riders who visit the venue in Royston’s Burns Road. It will also allow riders from all over the Eastern region and beyond to perform to their best ability at our race events. The current track is over 30 years old and does not provide the facilities that our coaches require for modern BMX racing. This new facility will enable us to have an outstanding regional racing track as part of the legacy of the 2012 Olympics, and further the Club’s development.”
Local MP for North Hertfordshire, Oliver Heald QC, said: “I am delighted to hear the news that Sport England have agreed to award the £50,000 Royston BMX applied for and I was happy to support the bid. It is great news that with NHDC funding too, the track can be rebuilt this spring to latest national standards. Royston has made a big contribution to BMX and now the next chapter can be written."
Royston Rockets BMX Club is one of 310 projects across England to be receiving lottery investment from the third round of the Inspired Facilities fund and one of over 1,000 to benefit overall, with the milestone being achieved one year ahead of schedule.
Many more communities can still benefit from the fund, with a further two rounds remaining. Bids will be accepted for the fourth round of Inspired Facilities Funding from the 4 March 2013. You can find out more at www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities.
