A REDEVELOPED stadium at the Barnet Copthall site would be an “excellent opportunity” as an Olympic training venue, according to one of the games organisers.

Last week Saracens RFC unveiled ambitious £10m plans to regenerate the run-down facility and make it a top athletics and rugby venue.

Under the scheme the club would play up to 16 matches per season there, with removable seating accommodating 10,000 fans, and space for up to 3,000 people to watch athletics the rest of the time.

The venue had already been earmarked as a potential training venue for Olympic teams ahead of the 2012 summer games by the organising committee LOCOG.

Neil Snowball, LOCOG's head of sport operations, said: “LOCOG has recently seen the plans for the stadium and believes that with the additional investment in the facilities, and the close proximity to London, this venue could prove to be an excellent opportunity for one of the Olympic or Paralympic teams that are looking for a preparation camp prior to the games in 2012.”

None of the Olympic ebents is due to come to the borough after organisers changed the route of the cycling road race after pressure for it to go past more landmarks.

Nigel Wray, Saracens chairman, added: “We would obviously be delighted if Barnet Copthall Stadium became an Olympic training venue as a result of our plans to revive the stadium.

“Our proposals create a facility that will provide a positive and lasting legacy for the local community.”

Last week Mr Wray said the stadium would be available for community use up to 350 days per year and confirmed the club would be playing on an artificial pitch if they moved there.

Three public exhibitions on the plans have also been announced.

They will be held at the stadium between 12pm-4pm on Sunday, November 28, and two at Cothall School in Pursley Road, 5pm-9pm on Tuesday, November 30 and Wednesday, December 1.

Further information on the proposals is available at www.copthallrevival.co.uk or by calling 0845 602 8194 or e-mailing copthallrevival@gka.co.uk.