National, Regional and Local Sports Facilities Projects

Mr Terry Christie, the chairman of the Independent Review Group charged with the task of looking into the various options of providing sports facilities in the East side of the city, produced his long awaited report on the 17th August to the waiting press at The Royal Commonwealth Pool prior to it being considered by the City Council at the Council meeting on 23rd August ‘07.

Mr Christie was keen to indicate that the content of his report was a reflection of his own personal views based on the information presented and not the findings of the group.

Mr Christie’s report set out various conclusions and recommendations for the best way forward, resulting in the following motions being passed at the Council meeting on 23rd August.

The motions were as follows:-

1. To thank Terry Christie, the chair of the Independent Review Group, for his report.

2. To retain a sports complex and athletics track on the Meadowbank site (not necessarily in the current position)

3. To note Terry Christie’s best option i.e. to rebuild Meadowbank on the current site.

4. To reaffirm the Council’s commitment to refurbish the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

5. To undertake a full consultation on what sport and leisure facilities are required in the west of the city i.e. in the Sighthill area.

6. (i) To request a full report from the Chief Executive of the City Council on the options for refurbishing / upgrading Meadowbank.

(ii) To request a further report from the Chief Executive on replacing the current stadium at Meadowbank with a smaller 2,000 seater stadium.

Council Leader Jenny Dawe welcomed the recommendations given by Christie and the Working Group, saying: "We are committed to moving this issue forward but it is essential that we do this in consensual manner. This can only be achieved by listening to and addressing the concerns of all members of the group and the wider community. The report highlights that much work needs to be done on proposals for new sports facilities in Edinburgh - we must give sustained and proper consideration to all of the options in front of us."