Stadium rethink after protests

DESIGNS for a £53 million sports stadium are to be sent back to the drawing board following protests it would make a poor venue for rugby matches.

Architects are to look at the possibility of creating separate, back-to-back athletics and rugby arenas at the proposed Sighthill complex.

The move comes after former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings led an outcry over the designs for the arena to replace the ageing Meadowbank Stadium.

It is hoped the new stadium will provide a home for Edinburgh's professional rugby team, as well as hosting athletics tournaments.

But the initial designs included a running track between the fans and the rugby pitch, which critics said would destroy any atmosphere and leave spectators with a poor view of the action.

As well as looking into separate arenas, the review ordered by council leaders will also consider an idea which could allow the two sports to share the same stadium more happily.

It may be possible to build the permanent seats in the stadium slightly higher so that temporary seating can be wheeled on to the running track for rugby matches.

The alternative idea of a split arena would involve a "main stand" being built with one half facing the rugby pitch and the other towards an athletics track.

The proposed stadium would be expected to have a capacity of more than 8000 for rugby matches if the council goes for the temporary seating and single arena option. That could fall if the council goes for the twin arena plan.

The council is understood to be weighing up various factors, including the possibility of Edinburgh Rugby committing to a long lease, and the likelihood of attracting top-flight athletics on a regular basis.

The cost impact and possibility of the construction timetable slipping will also be considered.

Councillors have ordered the review less than a week after unveiling the latest plans for the long-awaited scheme.

Council leader Ewan Aitken today said the local authority wanted to work with Edinburgh Rugby to ensure the club found a new home there.

He said: "Although the stadium is being built mainly for athletics, we want to be clear that we want Edinburgh Rugby to be based there and the club have told us they are right behind our plans.

"What we are looking at doing now is building the stands up higher so that temporary seating can be rolled out on to the running track when rugby events are on.

"That would mean the capacity of the stadium would be bigger for rugby matches but that is what Edinburgh Rugby are aiming for in future years."

Edinburgh Rugby chiefs have offered support for the scheme, but expressed reservations about the planned capacity and design.

City sports and culture leader Donald Anderson added: "We are going to ask the architects whether it would be possible to have the athletics arena and rugby pitch back to back with a stand in the middle, as at Meggetland.

"We understand the arguments for not having a running track around a rugby pitch, but a lot of it will depend on whether the site can be redesigned and also the cost implications."

The review was ordered as Tory and Lib Dem councillors threatened to scale back the plans if they win control of the city after May's elections.

Tory leader Iain Whyte said he was concerned there may not be enough demand for the proposed facilities.

He said: "Although we are fully supportive of the need to refurbish the Commonwealth Pool, we are much less convinced over the plans for the Sighthill scheme, particularly its suitability for both rugby and athletics."

The city's Lib Dem leader, Jenny Dawe, added: "We do not see the justification for selling off Meadowbank Stadium. The Sighthill scheme does not seem necessary and we should be looking at other ways of funding a refurbishment of the Commonwealth Pool."

Today, Graeme Stirling, managing director of Edinburgh Rugby, said: "Edinburgh Rugby are delighted to have the opportunity to share in the new vision for Sighthill and Edinburgh through the development of a fantastic new sports facility.

"We are in discussions with the council about how the requirements of Edinburgh Rugby can be best incorporated into the stadium plans and will be an active participant as the design evolves."