LOCOG Scrapping Temporary Venues To Save Amid Credit Crunch

LOCOG officials are "set to scrap plans to build a new combined venue for the badminton, rhythmic gymnastics and paralympic volleyball in an effort to save [US$59.6M] as their [US$13.9B] budget continues to be put under pressure because of the credit crunch," according to Robert Booth of the Manchester GUARDIAN. LOCOG had planned to "build a temporary, 6,000-seat arena in north Greenwich, close to the O2 centre." But a report from LOCOG accounting consultant KPMG, which LOCOG discussed yesterday, has "recommended the events be relocated to an existing venue." The "favoured alternative location for the three sports is Wembley Arena," which previously had not been considered a "convenient venue to host events for the 2012 Games because it was too far from the athletes' village" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 11/20). In London, Ashling O'Connor reports LOCOG will save between US$22.3-29.8M by scrapping plans for the temporary venue. Fencing and volleyball competitions for the 2012 Games have "already been moved to existing permanent buildings" (LONDON TIMES, 11/20). 

TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS: In London, Paul Kelso reports LOCOG also is "considering plans to move shooting events at the 2012 Games to a new greenfield site outside central London in an attempt to drive down costs." Currently, shooting is set to be held in a "temporary venue at Woolwich Barracks," but there are concerns among LOCOG officials "over the practicality of the facility, the [US$29.8M] cost and the lack of a tangible legacy for the sport." Meanwhile, LOCOG has reached decisions on two other temporary venues, deciding that equestrian events will "remain in Greenwich Park and the [US$89.4M], 12,000-seat basketball arena will stay at the Olympic Park" (London TELEGRAPH, 11/20).