Hackney: A Host for 2012

Future Hackney - 2012 and beyond

As a host borough for the 2012 Games, we are seizing this opportunity for Hackney to secure the best possible legacy for our residents, businesses and environment.

Major opportunities for business and enterprise, a new neighbourhood in the east of the borough and more green space are among our top priorities for long-term benefits.

During the Games, 20,000 journalists will report to a global audience of up to three billion from the media centres in the Olympic Park within Hackney Wick.

These first-class communications connections offer the opportunity to draw in media and digital industries. This supports our vision for a creative, high specification employment hub for East London. This is one of the most significant and transformative legacy opportunities the Games offer Hackney.

The media centres will be at the heart of a new neighbourhood at Hackney Wick which will also include affordable new homes, cafes and shops, alongside sports facilities and green spaces.

After London’s Paralympic Games close in September 2012, the legacy Olympic Park will begin to emerge, continuing the environmental improvements and regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley.

It will be the largest urban park created in Europe for 150 years, offering local people and elite athletes alike access to facilities for sports including swimming, athletics, cycling, tennis, hockey and basketball.

East Marsh will be directly connected to the Park and all its facilities via a new land bridge, crossing existing roads.

We are committed to making sure the park meets the needs and aspirations of local people, and to making sure it is fully accessible to everyone.

Hackney Council is investing in our leisure centres to offer more people of all abilities access to a healthier lifestyle through sports and physical activity.

Hackney Marshes – the world famous home of grassroots football – is benefiting from more than £3m of investment in improved facilities, including new pitches and changing rooms.