Olympic athlete to open QEII stadium (From Enfield Independent)

Olympic athlete Margaret Adeoye to open Queen Elizabeth II stadium

3:05pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

An Olympic athlete is set to officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium on Thursday evening.

Margaret Adeoye, 27, who reached the 200m semi finals for Team GB this year and trains with Enfield and Haringey Athletics Club, is charged with cutting the ribbon to open the stadium.

The stadium, in Donkey Lane, has undergone two years of restoration to update its facilities - at a cost of £6million.

Keen athletes will make the most of a new six-lane track, improved changing facilities, two long jump pits, and high jump and shot put areas.

A £3,900 grant from Enfield Residents Priority Grand means the stadium will also be open to members of the public on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Monday evenings.

The stadium, which has a capacity of 2,500, is the new home of Enfield Town Football Club, and will be available for hire by clubs, groups and schools.

Councillor Chris Bond, cabinet member for environment, said: “The QEII Stadium is an important element in Enfield’s Olympic Legacy.

“Athletics greats including Seb Coe, Daley Thompson and Linford Christie trained here over the years and we hope many more great Olympians will grace this track.

“We are delighted that the Friends of Enfield Playing Fields have successfully bid for this money and that it will be put to good use providing residents with the opportunity to get active in this wonderful facility.”