Benefiting from cultural and leisure opportunities, including the London Olympics
Our goal is to increase opportunities for Camden residents to take part in cultural and leisure activities.
Why this issue is important
Camden is famous for its open spaces, parks and cultural institutions such as Hampstead Heath and the British Museum. We also have a range of community festivals and local events throughout the year. But not all of Camden’s communities feel able to enjoy the wide range of leisure and cultural activities available in the borough.
By 2012, mainland Europe will only be two hours away from Camden and London will be hosting the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Camden is committed to using the London Olympics as a catalyst to increase leisure and cultural activity in the borough, to make it available to people of all ages and to make sure local residents benefit from the Games.
What is already being done
Camden’s parks and open spaces offer a range of sport, play facilities and events as well as being quiet areas to relax. Some parks - such as Waterlow and Highgate - have won awards for their contribution to the community and to overall quality of life.
Sports facilities are being developed and refurbished across the borough. The new Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre attracts 50,000 visitors a month, Talacre Community Sports Centre remains an important sport development centre in London and Kentish Town Sports Centre is being refurbished.
There are also a large number of cultural facilities in the borough from venues, such as the Roundhouse, to national institutions like the British Museum, and new or refurbished libraries in Kilburn and Kentish Town.
Here are some of the specific aims we are working towards:
- more residents satisfied with cultural and recreational activities
- more residents satisfied with sports and leisure facilities
- more 5 to 16 year olds taking part in at least two hours of organised physical activity a week
- developing extended services around schools to help children and young people to enjoy and achieve, such as breakfast clubs and after school activities
What people have told us
Residents said they enjoyed the parks and open spaces in Camden, but were wary of big events being held in them. People also appreciated the range of leisure and cultural facilities available in Camden, but were sometimes restricted by cost and public transport issues.
While some thought the London Olympic and Paralympic Games could provide opportunities, people were concerned about costs and were sceptical whether Camden residents would benefit.
What the Council and its partners will do
- ensure our open spaces and rich cultural institutions and architectural heritage are appealing and accessible to all, through uncovering ‘hidden Camden’ cultural sites
- work together to create new cultural spaces including high quality public art, good urban design and attractive, accessible places to live and work
- build on Camden’s out-of-school and community learning to make full use of local cultural institutions including the British Museum, British Library and higher education institutions
- promote Camden as a tourist destination in its own right, building on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opening and in preparation for the London Olympics
- get the most out of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games for Camden's residents and businesses and publish an action plan alongside this strategy, which sets out in detail how we will:
- help children and young people get more active and healthy and set up a Camden Disability Forum in 2007
- use the cultural and leisure opportunities around the opening of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at St Pancras in 2007 and as the Games approach to inspire people and bring our diverse communities closer together
- increase volunteering
- maximise the economic benefits generated by the 2012 Olympics for Camden with a focus on opportunities for younger people and smaller enterprises
- improve our streets, parks and open spaces for those that live and work in all parts of the borough and in preparation for the many people expected to visit central London in 2012
How local people can contribute
- getting involved in cultural events and festivals in parks
- getting on volunteering programmes in the run up to the London Olympics
- finding out about your local museum or arts centre and taking your friends and relatives there next time
