Olympic mural makes a splash at leisure pool (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Olympic mural makes a splash at leisure pool

12:00am Saturday 13th October 2012 in Andover

A LASTING reminder of the London 2012 Olympic Games was unveiled at Andover Leisure Centre by councillor Tony Ward last Saturday.

The design, commissioned by Test Valley Borough Council and Valley Leisure, features 11 different images of the Olympic torch drawn by local children at an arts workshop who were asked to imagine what the torch might look like before it arrived in the town for the relay.

Painted in the vibrant colours of the Olympic rings, the mural also depicts the relay route from Charlton Place to Weyhill Road and the names of the Andover torchbearers.

More than 70 children from seven local schools took part in the workshop at Charlton Place, with the final 11 designs chosen by Test Valley Arts officer and professional artist, Alex Hoare and Valley Leisure chief executive, Kevin Paterson.

Cllr Tony Ward, portfolio holder for Community and Leisure, said: “I, like many people, watched in awe as the country hosted what was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sporting events ever seen.

“Though London 2012 has drawn to a close, each of us will hold dear our memories of the Games. The mural is a wonderful way of commemorating the Olympic torch visiting Andover and celebrating the honour bestowed upon our town.

“Thousands of people lined the streets to watch the Olympic torch relay and it is fantastic that this incredible moment in the town’s history has been captured in such an imaginative way.”

A team of volunteers from the Andover Swimming Club helped paint the mural, alongside Alex Hoare and artist David Dixon from Chapel Arts Studios in Andover.

The mural forms part of a wider refurbishment of the pool area, which will include redecoration of the pillars and installation of new lighting.