The funding will be spent on general maintenance, improved disability access, resurfaced tennis courts and indoor five aside area and the instalment of GLL's new Wellness Gym. The funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the stakeholders to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport said:

"This investment is good news for the National Sports Centre and for the local community. With improved and more accessible facilities, the centre will continue to be a hub for the local community to be active and play sports."

Roger Draper Chief Executive of Sport England said:

"Having invested £1.5m to refurbish the athletics stadium at Crystal Palace, this additional funding will ensure that the rest of the site benefits too.

Crystal Palace opens its doors to thousands of people each year and the improvements will ensure that it can continue to provide a valued service for the community and elite athletes.

Sport England is committed to helping make England a more active and successful sporting nation and Crystal Palace has an important role in helping make this happen."

The investment will benefit the local community as well as many high profile athletes who train at the site regularly. This includes Athens Paralympic Gold medallist Danny Crates and Team GB athletes Jo Fenn and Donna Fraser.

It also builds on the detailed work that the London Development Agency is undertaking to plan the future of the National Sports Centre and Park.

Tony Winterbottom, LDA Executive Director of Regeneration and Development, said:

"This is more great news for Crystal Palace Park and shows the real commitment that the LDA and its partners have to the park and its sports facilities. This funding will help shore up the sports centre's economic security in the short-term, while we continue to plan and consult on the park's long-term future."

Council Leader Stephen Carr said:

"We are delighted to have contributed to safeguarding the future of this popular leisure facility for our residents and other Londoners before future financial responsibility passes to the LDA and Sport England in 2005/06 and then wholly to the LDA in 2006/07."

Many parts of the National Sports Centre will have improved disability access. This includes dedicated changing areas and swim seating areas within the main sports hall. New lighting will be installed internally and externally, the main entrance and pedestrian entrances will be refitted and the sports hall lift will be replaced. Sports provision will also be enhanced by resurfacing the four tennis courts and indoor 5 aside area, as well as the establishment of GLL's new Wellness Gym.

Mark Sesnan, Managing Director of GLL said:

"Today's announcement is a huge boost for Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and the wider community. The funding demonstrates all key stakeholders commitment to the Sports Centre and will secure the developments planned for facility. The funding will enable us to make significant improvements to the service and strengthen the development of sports in Crystal Palace."

The work will be phased over the coming 12 months to ensure that Crystal Palace will be ready to host a busy Summer of events. This includes the London Triathlon on the 29th May, the Mini Youth Games on 30th June, the London Youth Games on 1st and 2nd July and the London Grand Prix on 22nd July.

GLL will host an Open Day [Ed. see notice of events... past] on 20th March. All of Crystal Palace's facilities will be available to try out, for £1.00 entrance fee! To find out more about the day's activities, call 020 8778 0131.

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7/5/05 Last Updated 7/5/05