White water centre among several Lea Valley attractions taken on by Vibrant Partnerships trust.
Former Olympic venues including the Lee Valley White Water Centre have been handed over to a trust.
Vibrant Partnerships, a not-for-profit company will manage the venues, with an estimated £15 million turnover, on behalf of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
Trustees have pledged to maximise usage of the former Olympic venues and other facilities, including Dobbs Weir Caravan Park and the Park Farms in Waltham Abbey.
Speaking to the Mercury, the chair of Vibrant Partnerships, Del Goddard and managing director Kulvinder Sihota said they hoped to change the image of the white water centre as a place for elite athletes to one open to everyone – particularly residents living close by.
Mr Goddard, a former Enfield Council cabinet member, said: “It’s a new image, a new way forward and a new way of doing things.”
He responded to recent comments by Tessa Jowell about the failure of the Olympic legacy to get more young people involved in sport.
“It’s important we find ways of encouraging more people – not just young people – to participate in activity, not just sport,” he said.
The trust will also aim to work closely with community groups to encourage local people to use the venues, including Holdbrook Residents Association, and is creating apprenticeships with Hertford Regional College.
They also hope to work with Broxbourne and Epping Forest Councils and nearby attractions such as the Royal Gunpowder Mills
Mr Goddard said: “The way we want to work is by establishing a number of partnerships to increase footfall and usage.”
The trust is looking to develop the park farms to attract a wider age range and increase usage at the white water centre with events, such as tomorrow evening’s Jazz night and a planned Christmas fair.
Mrs Sihota added: “It about positive change to create visitor destinations.
“We know we can’t do this on our own.
The above was reported in Herfordshire Mercury on 09/07/15