Field day for young

- 09 June 2010

THE Olympic Park and a revitalised Stratford could have another role after the 2012 Games...as a giant classroom.

Young people may be given the "unique'' opportunity to study the area.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company and the Field Studies Council are exploring establishing an urban residential field studies centre in Europe's largest regeneration site.

If it gets the go-ahead, the centre would offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience in areas including urban design, building successful schemes and managing the environment as the Legacy Company oversee development of the Olympic Park over 25 years.

Legacy body chairman Margaret Ford said: "Stratford is an exciting opportunity to explore options for London's first residential centre specialising in the built environment." Along with a long history of running residential education courses for schools, the Field Studies Council have managed day events in urban field studies in Olympic host boroughs since 2006 and regard the proposed centre as a major priority.

Council chairman Tim Burt said: "Our vision is to develop a world-leading residential field centre specialising in outdoor education in the built environment - using the evolving and vibrant mix of buildings, spaces and parks to inspire and educate generations of young people and their families."

The Field Studies Council will now develop plans, including funding options, for a 150-bed centre on the Olympic Park, primarily targeting teenagers, though it could also be used by primary schools and adult learners.