I have highlighted previously the benefits of businesses registering with the “Compete For” process, the free on-line service highlighting Games-related contract opportunities. It is expected that in excess of 50,000 contracts both large and small will be offered through this service over the next 1189 days to the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games. Already over 1000 Buckinghamshire businesses have registered to be part of this service and earlier this month we learned of the biggest success so far for a local company, when it was announced that the Stowe based Buckingham Group Contracting had fought off competition from 5 shortlisted multi-national companies to win this prestigious contract.
Previously best known for the construction of the MK Dons Stadium and National Hockey Centre in Milton Keynes, the Buckingham Group will be working with HOK Sport on the detailed design and construction of the Handball Arena. Planning permission for the 7,000 seat arena has already been granted by Hackney Council and it expected that construction will commence this summer.
Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'This appointment takes us a step closer towards a simple, sustainable and flexible Handball Arena that works for Games and legacy'
The Handball Arena will be in the west of the Olympic Park, to the south of the Hockey Centre, within four minutes of the Olympic Village. It will have up to 7,000 seats during the Games, hosting the Handball preliminaries and quarter finals as well as the Modern Pentathlon discipline of Fencing. It will also be the Goalball venue during the Paralympic Games.
In legacy mode after the Games, the Arena will become a multi-sports venue with retractable seating for 6,000 spectators and flexible facilities to hold a range of training and competition events of all levels. It will cater for a wide-range of indoor sports including Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Boxing, Handball, Badminton, Netball and Volleyball.
To use a an old cliché, and to risk being sued by the National Lottery, this success shows that you really do have to be in to win it (I told you it was an old cliché). Not all contracts will be on this scale and indeed many will be for as little as a few thousand pounds, but for your businesses to be in with any chance of contract success you will need to have registered with “Compete For”. The process is very straightforward and if you have any problems you will be automatically forwarded to a Business Link advisor who will help guide you through the process.
To register go to www.competefor.com and lets see how many more Buckinghamshire businesses can strike Olympic gold over the next 1189 days.
Ian Barham
Buckinghamshire Manager for the 2012 Games
ibarham[at]bucks2012.org