Terry Christie, who chairs the Independent Working Group’s review of Meadowbank Sports Centre and sports facilities provision, which presented its recommendations to the City of Edinburgh council today, said that the preferred option is to build a new stadium on the existing site, while the “second best option” would see the Meadowbank site sold off and a new facility built at Sighthill. The report, which will be considered by the council on 23 August, also supports proposals for the development of the Royal Commonwealth Pool. 

However, in the report Christie also criticises the funding provided by the Scottish Executive saying it is “wholly inadequate to meet the requirements set for a network of sporting facilities” and that too much was being asked of the 32 Local Authorities in Scotland to contribute.  He stated that the previous council did not carry out adequate consultation with those in the local area and that there is a “great emotional attachment to the current stadium not only by local citizens but also further afield”. 

The report also notes the “considerable disagreement” within the group with respect to a number of issues under discussion, in particular about the council’s desire to provide modern standards for all sports at any cost and its earlier discounting of the refurbishment of Meadowbank as an option. The report also states that a number of the group, which drew its members from various groups with an interest in developments in the Meadowbank area as well as local and community councillors, did not support the “second best option” identified in the recommendations. 

Council Leader Jenny Dawe welcomed the recommendations given by Christie and the Working Group, saying:  "The formation of this working group addressed a lack consultation by the previous administration.  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.   

“We are committed to the delivery of quality national and regional sports facilities but we need to look again at what facilities are really needed.  We all want the best facilities for Edinburgh but we must be realistic about what can be achieved.  Therefore the next thing we must do look in more depth at the options, at what funding we have available and can access, and in light of this, what we can deliver.”