Swindon Speedway to go?

[Dorset Red]

A simple statement from the Council that in principal they are against the removal of a historicic amenity in our town, and will do all they can, would be a start. ...

Hey Reg. Why don't you stand for council?

I have been a Borough Councillor AND a County Councillor in my time (not in Wiltshire or Dorset though). I know this sounds cynical but you would not believe how easy it is to get elected!!!!! A few hours knocking the right doors and you're in!

[RobertT]

A simple statement from the Council that in principal they are against the removal of a historicic amenity in our town, and will do all they can, would be a start. Don't hold your breath.

Maybe they read your posts!

[TalkTalk]

Press release from Gaming International and Thistle Land.

A complete load of doubletalk. They just want to make the money out of developing the land. I wish they would just come out and say it rather than trying to justify the economic/space/resident arguments which are just bollocks.

And when did Blunsdon Stadium become Abbey Meads Stadium? Jeez.

---------------

Immediate Release - 20th July 2006

SWINDON SPEEDWAY TO BE OFFERED LONG TERM MOVE BACK TO SWINDON

Gaming International and Thistle Land are to offer to work with Swindon Robins Speedway and Swindon Borough Council to find a new, long term venue for the club following confirmation today that their annual licence for the Abbey Meads stadium will not be renewed for the 2007 season.

Swindon Robins will have the opportunity to continue racing from Gaming International's Smallmead stadium in Reading on a temporary basis until a new site can be found and developed in Swindon.

Gaming International will financially assist the temporary move to Reading.

Details of the offer will be discussed at a meeting later today between Swindon Speedway promoter, Terry Russell, and the owners of Abbey stadium.

Explaining the decision, Clarke Osborne, Chief Executive of Gaming International, said: "We are very happy to work with the club, the council and fans to find a new local venue for the Robins but it needs to be clearly understood that speedway is no longer an economic proposition at Abbey Meads stadium.

Attendances at speedway events nationwide have been falling in recent years and Swindon has been no exception with an average gate this season of just around 1300.

"Declining attendances have meant falling revenues, just at a time when health and safety requirements are becoming more onerous and expensive. Speedway is an expensive activity to accommodate and in recent years the increasing demands of our Greyhound Racing promotion add further costs to the management and maintenance of the Stadium.  

"There have also been a significant number of complaints to Swindon Borough Council's Environmental Health Department, from local residents living close to the Abbey Meads stadium, about noise and pollution.

"Speedway does not fit well in a busy greyhound stadium and, at its current levels of support is not able to make a significant contribution to the stadium business. I think it likely that in the years to come, speedway will be confined to a smaller number of stadiums, which have the right location and facilities for motor sport.

"However, that doesn't mean that there isn't the opportunity to create a modern, purpose-built, facility that would work for speedway and motor sport in Swindon, he said.

Gaming International and Thistle Land are jointly promoting a comprehensive redevelopment of the existing Abbey Meads stadium and adjoining Abbeymeads business park site.

Eric Petrie, Managing Director of Thistle Land, explained:  "Our preferred proposals for the Abbeymeads site envisage a new stadium but this could not incorporate a speedway track given its proximity to existing and, potential future, residential development.

"However, there may well be other sites in the Swindon area that could host speedway events in the future.   We are very willing to consider how the redevelopment of this major site at Abbeymeads could facilitate the return of speedway to Swindon in the longer term at a suitable location.

"If we can achieve enhanced value from the redevelopment of the Abbeymeads site - for example through additional residential development - then it would be possible to provide financial support for the development of a new, purpose-built, speedway and motor sport stadium elsewhere in Swindon.

"Speedway fans can't turn back the clock because the Abbey Meads stadium is no longer suitable for this type of activity but, provided supporters work with us and the Council, I am sure that we can find a better location for speedway in Swindon and the financial support to secure a long-term home for the Robins", he said.

A public exhibition of Gaming International and Thistle Land's proposals for the Abbey Meads stadium and business park site will be held on Tuesday 25th July from 11am to 7.30pm at the Church of Christ the Servant in Abbey Meads, Swindon.

ENDS

[Piemonte]

yeah, good luck with getting the council to help find some suitable land - They'll probabblly just recommend Shaw tip again FFS.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

its a good oppurtunity for Swindon Robins and STFC to work together in partnership for a new sports site including new grounds for both

[Reg Smeeton]

A simple statement from the Council that in principal they are against the removal of a historicic amenity in our town, and will do all they can, would be a start. ...

Hey Reg. Why don't you stand for council?

I have been a Borough Councillor AND a County Councillor in my time (not in Wiltshire or Dorset though). I know this sounds cynical but you would not believe how easy it is to get elected!!!!! A few hours knocking the right doors and you're in!

 I did my political stint, back in the 80's early 90's....and did consider standing.....it's a kind of family thing.....my grandfather was a councillor for 34 years.

  Problem is I've an in built dislike of bullshit meetings.....which are the staple diet of being a Councillor....then, what with having a young family, it just became too time consuming.