by Karen Combe
SquareOne News
After a year of bitter wrangling, the future of Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh is to be decided today.
Campaigners who have battled to save the landmark sports facility fear that councillors will push for a sell off of a large chunk of the site at a full City of Edinburgh Council meeting today.
Aaron Lowe, spokesman for the 'Savemeadowbank Campaign', said: "Our understanding from our meetings on the latest working group is that the council will recommend that perhaps 50% of the site be sold off. Many people who thought their vote would save Meadowbank last May are disappointed that the new council administration seems equally determined to use Meadowbank as a council cash line."
In a final push to rally public support, campaigners, local residents, athletes and coaches gathered at a meeting on Monday evening at Holyrood Abbey Church.
The Edinburgh Cycling Club representatives said the loss of the velodrome at Meadowbank used for training by Olympic medallist champion Chris Hoy would jeopardise Scotland's medal chances in the future.
Local MSP and Justice Minister Kenny McAskill responded to criticisms from the hundreds of people at the meeting about the administration's decision to consider selling public land at Meadowbank. "There are some hard decisions to make", he said, and blamed the previous administration's £500 million pound tram project for a cash shortfall which has hindered projects such as the refurbishment of Meadowbank.
Senior Athletics coach Bill Walker said, "All we can hope for is that all councillors see sense on Meadowbank. If a wrong decision is taken, they will be denying future generations a fair chance."
Campaigners who have battled to save the landmark sports facility fear that councillors will push for a sell off of a large chunk of the site at a full City of Edinburgh Council meeting today.
Aaron Lowe, spokesman for the 'Savemeadowbank Campaign', said: "Our understanding from our meetings on the latest working group is that the council will recommend that perhaps 50% of the site be sold off. Many people who thought their vote would save Meadowbank last May are disappointed that the new council administration seems equally determined to use Meadowbank as a council cash line."
In a final push to rally public support, campaigners, local residents, athletes and coaches gathered at a meeting on Monday evening at Holyrood Abbey Church.
The Edinburgh Cycling Club representatives said the loss of the velodrome at Meadowbank used for training by Olympic medallist champion Chris Hoy would jeopardise Scotland's medal chances in the future.
Local MSP and Justice Minister Kenny McAskill responded to criticisms from the hundreds of people at the meeting about the administration's decision to consider selling public land at Meadowbank. "There are some hard decisions to make", he said, and blamed the previous administration's £500 million pound tram project for a cash shortfall which has hindered projects such as the refurbishment of Meadowbank.
Senior Athletics coach Bill Walker said, "All we can hope for is that all councillors see sense on Meadowbank. If a wrong decision is taken, they will be denying future generations a fair chance."
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