Inspiring a generation?

I couldn’t write this month’s column without talking about sport and the Olympic Games. The Olympics have generated pride, passion and inspiration across the country and have created a new generation of role models as well as promoting Great Britain in a positive light across the world. Well done to Chesterfield’s Liam Pitchford for representing Team GB in the Table Tennis Team Event.

Following the success of the Olympics, we need to continue to develop the facilities and opportunities locally for people to participate in sport and I am proud to say that a number of Chesterfield Champions are involved in projects to achieve this.

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with Chesterfield College to help secure a major investment in Queen’s Park Sports Centre. The Council has agreed to move forward in principle to a dual use partnership with the College and further negotiations are taking place to bring this plan to fruition. The Council have also agreed to prepare and deliver a feasibility study to determine the best options for redeveloping the site.

Derbyshire Sport have recently launched the Derbyshire Institute of Sport with two hubs, one in Derby and one at Brampton Manor in Chesterfield. The aim of the institute is to provide high quality support to Derbyshire’s emerging talented sports performers, enabling them to achieve greater national and international success and in so doing, to enhance the reputation of Derbyshire. Further examples of sport initiatives in the area include Chesterfield Football Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club working within in the local community and Chesterfield School Sports Partnership is promoting active lifestyles within schools.

The Olympics we’re not just about sport. UKTI, (the agency which promotes Britain to attract overseas business investment), together with Tourism agencies VisitBritain and VisitEngland have been using the opportunity of the Olympics to attract further investment and visitors to the UK. We will be continuing to work with our regional partners to market Chesterfield, promoting our inward investment opportunities and the town as a key gateway to the Peak District for visitors.