I am writing to express my whole hearted support for London's Olympic success, which could release significant benefits for the people of Enfield.

The Games will provide a massive boost to sport in the borough as it is inevitable there will be an improvement in sports facilities and an increase in sports participation, with all the knock-on benefits of improving people's health and well-being.

The new Edmonton leisure centre has been earmarked as a basketball training venue for the Olympics and the planned new indoor athletics facilities at Picketts Lock are bound to become a training venue for athletics.

With three athletics venues within a short distance of eachother - New River stadium in Tottenham, QE2 stadium in Donkey Lane, and Picketts Lock - Enfield has to be a prime location for one or more of the training camps that other countries will have to set up before the Games.

Sport has a unique ability to bring people and communities together - never has this been more needed following the tragic events in London on July 7.

Sport has the ability to engender pride and self-esteem, to provide motivation to people in their lives, to provide excitement and exhilaration. The Olympics will deliver all of those in abundance.

The sports legacy will be fantastic, but just as important, the Olympics will provide a much needed boost to the local economy.

The thousands of visitors staying and passing through Enfield will spend money, whether it be in hotels, restaurants, arts venues or the local shops.

We must also argue for transport improvements to raise the quality of life for Enfield residents. We need to see further improvements to the North Circular Road to avoid embarrassing gridlocks and a speeding up of the West Anglia railway modernisation programme, particularly the re-opening of a spur line, linking the east of Enfield to Stratford.

I know some people are concerned about having to pay extra tax to cover the costs, but the small charge required per day is less than a packet of unhealthy crisps. Surely that is a price worth paying.

Now the Olympics have been confirmed, Enfield Council needs to provide leadership, starting with the appointment of a lead councillor in the cabinet and a senior officer to help achieve the benefits.

Simon Parkinson
Managing Director
Enfield Leisure Centres Ltd.