Jason Kenny to have leisure centre in Bolton named after him

Three time Olympic champion Jason Kenny, who won two gold medals at London 2012 in the team sprint and individual sprint, is set to have a leisure centre named in his home town of Bolton.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-19341716

Councillors will vote on a motion later this month to name the leisure centre at the £30.6 million Bolton One complex, which opened earlier this year, the Jason Kenny Centre in honour of the 24-year-old, who also won team sprint gold in Beijing.

Facilities include a fitness suite, a community gym, dance and workout studio and eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool.

The council also plans to name a local cycle trail is also set to be named after Kenny, who has been regularly featured in the media since his success at London, not least because of his relationship with fellow double Olympic track champion, Laura Trott.

"As the saying goes 'home is where the heart is',” said Kenny, “so it's a real honour to have the leisure centre at the Bolton One complex named after me.

"I'm proud of being from Bolton, it is where I was born and bred, so to be recognised in this way by my home town is incredible."

Cliff Morris, leader of the council, commented: “Jason's spectacular gold medals were proud and inspirational moments for everyone in Bolton.

"Jason is a great sporting ambassador, an inspiration for young people across the borough, and we think this is a good way to honour his achievements.

"We want to build a strong Olympic legacy in his home town that will inspire generations to come and hope that his triumph will inspire young people to get active, use sporting facilities and aim for success."

The Bolton One complex also houses some departments of the University of Bolton inluding those relating to sports and spinal injuries and athlete development.

The university's vice chancellor, Dr George Holmes, said: “'I had the pleasure of meeting Jason when the University awarded him a masters degree, just after his medal success at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

“We were thrilled to see him achieve further Olympic glory in London this year, demonstrating what hard work and dedication can achieve. He is a great ambassador for sport and this is a fitting tribute from the town.”

Kenny is also set to be honoured at a civic reception in Bolton's Victoria Square on 1 September. Festivities get under way at 11am, with the cyclist taking to the stage at noon to show his medals and talk about his Olympic experience.