Royal victoria dock sailing centre future under threat

By Simon Hayes on June 19, 2008 2:01 PM |

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“THIS IS London’s Olympic Borough and it would be a disgrace if there is no sailing facility here, it’s one of our most successful sports.”

These are the passionate words of Peter Chilvers – a man on a mission to save the Royal Victoria Dock Sailing Centre, which he thinks should form a vital part of the 2012 Olympic legacy.

Newham’s only full-time sailing facility, close to the ExCeL Centre, has provided the opportunity for thousands of children to enjoy watersports over the past 20 years, but its future is in doubt.

Mr Chilvers, who has run a windsurfing school next to the centre since 1985, believes it’s a lack of will preventing the redevelopment of the run-down facility.

He said: “It was actively supported by the London Dockland Development Corporation for many years and they left a substantial sum of money in trust to secure the centre’s future.

“But the money hasn’t been spent. The facilities are terrible, just Portakabins and containers, and it could end up just disappearing.

“The land is a prime site for residential development and I’m worried that’s what will happen.

“Considering there’s supposed to be a tangible legacy after the Olympics, and this is right on the doorstep, it would be a disaster.”

The LDDC cash is held by the Royal Docks Trust charity. According to its 2007 accounts the total was £859,985, but there is still no sign of a new building, even though more than 19,000 youngsters used the centre last year.

“I want to make a noise about this because if I don’t there’s soon going to be nothing left behind here,” said Mr Chilvers.

“The centre is something we just can’t afford to lose in Newham, the value of it is immense. The kids who use it aren’t angels but what would they be doing if they weren’t learning how to sail? Throwing bricks through people’s windows?

“We may not produce Olympic standard sailors but we do give the kids an opportunity to learn how to sail and learn self-respect, discipline and team-work.”

But the Royal Docks Trust’s hands are tied when it comes to the money being spent.

A spokesman for the trust said: “These are restricted funds for LDDC projects and it’s not up to us to spend the money.

“There are proposals to rebuild the centre but nothing has been signed off yet. It’s not in our hands as there are other partners who have to approve any proposals.”

The land is owned by the London Development Agency and leased by Newham Council, which operates the centre.

The cost of a new centre is likely to be “several million pounds” but there’s no guarantee one will be built.
A council spokesman said: “The LDA wants to develop the site but there is a stumbling block over some of the land. We’re just waiting for them to decide what they want to do and are evaluating our options.

“One option could be to relocate the sailing centre to the London Regatta Centre in Royal Albert Dock. We will be doing some serious re-evaluation over the next 18 months.”

But merging with the Regatta Centre is not viable in Mr Chilvers view and, as the man credited with inventing windsurfing back in 1958, he may well be right.

“It’s not workable,” he said. “That’s designed for rowing, not sailing and windsurfing. The conditions are wrong and it just wouldn’t be practical, especially with the numbers of kids we get at the sailing centre.”

With the 2012 Olympics approaching Mr Chilvers is convinced the time to act is now.

He said: “I’ll invite anyone from the Olympic Organising Committee here to look round and see what we do. The day this centre is delivered is the day I retire. I’m determined to win this battle and I’d welcome the help and support of the people in and around Docklands.”

The LDA was unavailable for comment.