Swindon End Of Era Meeting.

[MattK]

The speedway only leases the track from the greyhound organisation and unless it has a contract to run for a few years has no clout what so ever to cut some kind of deal. It would be the greyhound organisation who might set up a deal. Even if it has a contract for a few years it is unlikely to be able to claim any worthwhile compensation, as that is usually based on loss of profit, and all the clubs claim to make a loss.

 

I disagree. I think we have a lot of clout. We could protest over and over to any potential plans to demolish the Abbey and build houses. Just look at Oxford, the GRA have a white elephant that they don't want to run as a stadium, but the council, thanks largely to local pressure, resolutely refuse to grant planning permission for houses.

 

A "deal" with the speedway would mean we would not oppose any plans to build houses in exchange for a down payment on our own new stadium.

[BuzzCagney]

I don't know what else to do other than letter write

 

I've just sent this one to the leader of the council....

 

Dear Mr Renard,

If I may have a moment of your time to voice growing concerns with regards the proposed new Speedway Stadium in Blunsdon.

It would appear that the developers are dragging their feet starting the new stadium whilst ploughing
on with the house building.

I understand clauses inserted by the council are now activated and the developers must begin the new
stadium before they can proceed further with sales.
The problem is this is classic behaviour from the owners of the stadium. Gaming International have
done this up and down the country with little regard to the local sports fans or, indeed, the local
authority involved.
The worry is they are going to leave the speedway club without a home and let the current stadium stand idle and increasingly derelict so that they can, in time, just build houses on the whole site.

Many of us felt we were being hoodwinked when this all first blew up in 2006 but we were powerless
to put a stop to the poor plans.

It is to be hoped that the Council will not be outmanoeuvred by the stadium owners, as has happened in other places around the country.

Can you offer any assurances that the Council are aware of the situation and what you may be able to do to protect the Speedway Club?

I do thank you for your time.

Kind Regards

 

If I get a reply I will post it.

 

If anybody has any suggestions of who we should write to let me know. I'm sorry, but its about all I can bring to the table.

[sommelier]

I don't know what else to do other than letter write

 

I've just sent this one to the leader of the council....

 

Dear Mr Renard,

 

If I may have a moment of your time to voice growing concerns with regards the proposed new Speedway Stadium in Blunsdon.

 

It would appear that the developers are dragging their feet starting the new stadium whilst ploughing

on with the house building.

I understand clauses inserted by the council are now activated and the developers must begin the new

stadium before they can proceed further with sales.

The problem is this is classic behaviour from the owners of the stadium. Gaming International have

done this up and down the country with little regard to the local sports fans or, indeed, the local

authority involved.

The worry is they are going to leave the speedway club without a home and let the current stadium stand idle and increasingly derelict so that they can, in time, just build houses on the whole site.

 

Many of us felt we were being hoodwinked when this all first blew up in 2006 but we were powerless

to put a stop to the poor plans.

 

It is to be hoped that the Council will not be outmanoeuvred by the stadium owners, as has happened in other places around the country.

 

Can you offer any assurances that the Council are aware of the situation and what you may be able to do to protect the Speedway Club?

 

I do thank you for your time.

 

Kind Regards

 

If I get a reply I will post it.

 

If anybody has any suggestions of who we should write to let me know. I'm sorry, but its about all I can bring to the table.

Mate fair play to you, massive amount of work you are putting in.

[BuzzCagney]

That's nice of you to say that but its only letter writing. Like every Swindon fan, I'd walk across burning coals to ensure the club has a home.

[van wolfswinkel]

That's nice of you to say that but its only letter writing. Like every Swindon fan, I'd walk across burning coals to ensure the club has a home.

Good work chap...there must be thousands of current and ex-fans who would attend speedway at the new home, especially the first meeting. Be interesting to see the size of crowd at the farewell meeting. There will be a few souvenir-hunters as well. There was a big response in 2006, with a "Save Our Speedway" supplement in The Adver with loads of signatures. Don't buy it now but surely they can give their support again 9 years on

[cityrebel]

There must be a deadline for work to begin on the new stadium. Won't swindon have to declare at the BSPA conference their intention to run next season.

[BuzzCagney]

There must be a deadline for work to begin on the new stadium. Won't swindon have to declare at the BSPA conference their intention to run next season.

 

I don't suppose GI will be too bothered about the club letting the BSPA down.

 

 

I have emailed the Advers Chief Sports Reporter to see if they can shake things around a bit. As Haydon Hat say's they were great back in 2006.

Edited September 20, 2015 by BuzzCagney

[Trees]

That's nice of you to say that but its only letter writing. Like every Swindon fan, I'd walk across burning coals to ensure the club has a home.

That's what you all need to be doing, writing to your council, they have to give replies, and will surely take it seriously if many letters are received. Would it be worth getting the local media on your side too?

[MattK]

That's what you all need to be doing, writing to your council, they have to give replies, and will surely take it seriously if many letters are received. Would it be worth getting the local media on your side too?

 

The problem is, nobody actually wants the new stadium to be built (other than speedway fans). The developers don't want to built it, the council would prefer more houses and the new residents certainly don't want a motorsports stadium on their doorstep.

[BuzzCagney]

Which is exactly why we need to be making these people know that there are those that want it, Matt.

In all fairness the local residents have been almost entirely behind the continuation of speedway.

And I was at the meeting in 2006 when the council passionately spoke in favour of the speedway, so I would take issue with your doubts on that one too.

Edited September 20, 2015 by BuzzCagney

[sommelier]

Which is exactly why we need to be making these people know that there are those that want it, Matt.

In all fairness the local residents have been almost entirely behind the continuation of speedway.

And I was at the meeting in 2006 when the council passionately spoke in favour of the speedway, so I would take issue with your doubts on that one too.

Are you a regular at Swindon ? if so, pop in the bar, me & Sidney (Mark) will get you a pint for all the effort you are putting in

[SteveLyric2]

Which is exactly why we need to be making these people know that there are those that want it, Matt.

In all fairness the local residents have been almost entirely behind the continuation of speedway.

And I was at the meeting in 2006 when the council passionately spoke in favour of the speedway, so I would take issue with your doubts on that one too.

What about the 'Speedway Pariamentary Group'? I'm not sure who's on it now or how much real clout they have, but it can't do any harm if you can get a contact!

[BuzzCagney]

Are you a regular at Swindon ? if so, pop in the bar, me & Sidney (Mark) will get you a pint for all the effort you are putting in

That's very kind. I appreciate that. Honestly, this is no trouble to be doing this though.

 

Work is likely keeping me away tomorrow. I'm not sure until I take a look at the schedule in the morning. But no schedule will keep me away from the Final and the Big Farewell to the Abbey. Maybe we can have a get together of Forum users that night?

 

I sent Justin a thank you for his reply and he sent this back.....

 

No problems at all! We all want this to be sorted asap – vital for not just the fans, but for the town itself!

Will keep pressing!!!

Cheers, Justin

 

 

Maybe i'm gullible but having met him on more than one occasion I am inclined to trust him on this.

I know Justin was on the Parliamentary Group, Skidder, but is no longer involved. I'm not sure what kind of clout they'd have to be honest.

If you guys think that would be a good idea, though, I'll happily look into it.

 

I'm hoping that Terry will come on the mic tomorrow with some positive news so we can forget all about this.

I know that he hates online chatter like this so hopefully he will take the opportunity to put peoples minds at rest.

Edited September 20, 2015 by BuzzCagney

[Hobnob Smith]

I have emailed Justin Tomlinson a few weeks ago and his reply was

 

 

 

I have copied in Cllr Toby Elliott, who is the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning at SBC. Toby can you please provide an update?

 

Kind regards, Justin

 

 

Sent: 13 September 2015 20:04
To: TOMLINSON, Justin
Subject: Speedway

 

HI Justin,

I am just dropping a line to you to find out what is happening with the so called new speedway stadium, having watched and ridden the good old abbey stadium for many years I can not see how the “New Stadium” will be built in time for next season. With no work starting on it yet and Houses now being built nearly in the old stadium and the good old british weather I can not see how it is possible being built in time, or to be honest being built AT ALL. As my family and I live in abbey meads and have voted for you we would like an honest answer from you to what is going on or is the promise of the new stadium just a load of codswallop to smooth people over until it is too late to do anything and we land up with no dogs and no speedway?

 

Awaiting with baited breath for your reply.

 

and still await a reply

Edited September 20, 2015 by Hobnob Smith

[cityrebel]

Which is exactly why we need to be making these people know that there are those that want it, Matt.

In all fairness the local residents have been almost entirely behind the continuation of speedway.

And I was at the meeting in 2006 when the council passionately spoke in favour of the speedway, so I would take issue with your doubts on that one too.

to be honest with you, 2006 seems like a lifetime ago in speedway terms. Reading and oxford were still in the EL then.

[BuzzCagney]

Where the speedway is concerned 2006 is still very fresh in my memory. And we need to tap into that same good-will that was so in evidence back then.

[ColinMills]

I think you Swindon fans are fortunate in that, both Robert buckland and Justin Tomlinson, both very much appear on board.

this is reply from Justin Tomlinson today..

"As it stands Swindon borough council are still waiting on the reserved matters application. This would confirm the exact details

of the building drainage and all other associated works. This would also trigger the work commencing.

This has now been due some time, hence why there is concern at the delay.

Gaming international maintain that the flood alleviation works and the sound attenuation barrier have taken longer than hoped to

organise and they will be submitting the reserved application shortly, with build out taking approximately 8 months from there.

I have double checked are there rules built into the original application have now been triggered, that no more new development

can continue until the stadium works begin..

This was put in place to make sure the stadium would be developed. If they were to walk away at the moment,a significant

development area/opportunity would be lost.

As an aside, we know gaming international have spent quite a lot of money on the preparation work, which if they were never intending to redeveloping the stadium, they would not of bothered wasting the money.

As soon as I hear more I will contact you again"

Edited September 21, 2015 by ColinMills

[A ORLOV]

Looking at the reply from Justin where he comments that certain info is yet to be received and a build of 8 months, not the 4 stated by the management, this time scale is of concern unless the club is happy to ride on a track with the building continuing around it. The start date is expected to be November but there are still a few issues to be sorted out and accepted by the Council, and we all know how fast they work.

 

Will we be racing at the present stadium in March and then switch?.

[cityrebel]

What will happen if gaming international walk away. Will the abbey remain in place, or be demolished with no new stadium built.

Edited September 22, 2015 by cityrebel

[BuzzCagney]

Looking at the reply from Justin where he comments that certain info is yet to be received and a build of 8 months, not the 4 stated by the management, this time scale is of concern unless the club is happy to ride on a track with the building continuing around it. The start date is expected to be November but there are still a few issues to be sorted out and accepted by the Council, and we all know how fast they work.

 

Will we be racing at the present stadium in March and then switch?.

 

 

What will happen if gaming international walk away. Will the abbey remain in place, or be demolished with no new stadium built.

 

Both great questions. Wouldn't it be good if somebody would get us an answer.

My understanding is they can't knock the Abbey down without Abbey:2 in place.

But we know from history they don't give one for leaving stadiums idle.

Edited September 22, 2015 by BuzzCagney