There was a time when Bexley feared it might get left behind in the rush for golden Olympic opportunities. Now, to the surprise of many, Bexley has grabbed not one but two Olympic legacy projects. LINDA PIPER reports.

EXCITEMENT was in the air at the Europa Gym Club as sponsors, civic dignitaries and young club members awaited the arrival of the day’s focus of VIP attention.

Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) was dropping in the celebrate the choice of the gym’s new home as a Games-time training venue for volleyball during the London Olympics.

The Olympic Delivery Authority has become the latest investor in the new gym project which will be built on the former Sama Roneo site in Maiden Lane, Crayford.

Barratt Homes, which will redevelop the rest of the land for housing, has given the gym site to the council, together with some funding for construction.

The Europa gym, which also houses the Europa Weightlifting Club, Nemesis Boxing Club, had been in danger of closing after its new landlords raised its rent to commercial levels.

Lord Coe, and guests from sports governing bodies and government and Olympic officials toured the current gym in Fraser Road and met many of the 1,000 young people and their coaches who are based there.

He also met Jenny Kent, president of the club, who brought in top gymnastic coaches Len and Yvonne Arnold 17 years ago, and who have run the club ever since.

Both Bexley Council leader, Councillor Teresa O’Neill and Lord Coe heaped praise on the Arnolds for their vision and for following their hearts and not their heads in fighting for the club’s survival.

They also thanked the project’s many sponsors, while Lord Coe presented the club with its training venue plaque.

Mr Arnold described the day as “special and historic” for the club and thanked all its supporters, especially Mrs Kent, for sticking by it through thick and thin.

Bexley also has two venues, Erith leisure centre and Mount Mascal and Shannon Leigh Stables listed in the international guide to 2012 Olympic training facilities.

Bexley is hoping its closeness to London may help attract smaller nations with just a handful of athletes to the borough for pre-Games training.

IT was just a month ago that celebrated round-the-world yachtman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was also in Erith, to open another Olympic legacy project.

Erith Yacht Club, off Manor Road, Erith, has also been the recipient of several million pounds of funding to turn the club into a community facilty and give London a legacy from the 2012 Games’ sailing which will be held in Weymouth in Dorset.

The club’s former car ferry clubhouse has returned to Norway to be restored and displayed in a naval museum.

In its place is a shore-side new clubhouse with modern facilities and training boats.

It can accommodate sailors with disabilities, community and children’s groups who want to learn more about sailing as well as offering advanced classes for experienced sailors.

WELLING School became the first in Bexley to receive its Get Set Network plaque from Lord Coe, for its promotion of the Olympic ethics in events and projects around the Elsa Road school.

Get Set is the education arm of the 2012 Olympic Games and once signed up, its website offers resources and opportunities for schools to get involved.

Welling School has signed up to the next stage, the Get Set Network, after putting together a strategy based on Olympic values such as respect, courage and equality, and putting it into action.

Staff and students have formed an Olympic group to create projects around the school which they will showcase at the end of the year.

Find out more at getset.london2012.com People can also go to bexley.gov.uk for the borough’s Be Inspired strategy on ways to get involved in London 2012.