Crystal Palace sports centre

The Mayor and the London Development Agency (LDA) took control (from Sport England) of the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace Park as part of London's bid for the 2012 Olympics. The LDA has the option to take on responsibility for the whole park by 2009.

The Mayor's vision for the park is regeneration and rejuvenation, creating a revived metropolitan park for the 21st century which meets the needs of local residents and visitors from across London and beyond.

In August 2006, the London Development Agency appointed awardwinning landscape architects Latz and Partners as the ‘master planner’ for Crystal Palace Park to build upon work previously done in consultation with the local community, to produce a visionary plan for the park.

The first stage in this process is to re-establish the park for events and recreational activities. Carefully selected events like the Palace Dreams fireworks spectacular in November 2006 will ensure that the park continues to be a recreational space for all seasons.

The LDA published its proposals for Crystal Palace park in October 2005 for a two-month public consultation. These plans involve increasing the amount of parkland at Crystal Palace by 20%, equating to 39 acres.

A previous consultation, in September 2004, showed strong support for continued sports at Crystal Palace. The LDA is working on plans to secure the long-term future of the sports centre, which will either see a redeveloped National Sports Centre or a new state of the art facility. The LDA is developing a range of ideas to reinvigorate the park whilst paying homage to the park’s great history.

Crystal Palace park remains a major centre for events. In February 2004 agreement was reached to enable the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace to stay open pending a major overhaul; this was announced by the Minister for Sport, the Mayor, the LDA, the London Borough of Bromley, and Sport England. This assured the immediate future of the Norwich Union LONDON Grand Prix at Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is also the venue for the finals of the London Youth Games.

Minutes

A joint GLA and LDA Steering Group has led the plans for Crystal Palace since February 2004. Minutes from all Steering Group meetings up to April 2006 are available on this website. For later minutes, please visit the LDA website.