Meadowbank protesters say battle over but not the war

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Meadowbank Stadium today remained defiant after councillors voted to bulldoze the centre and sell off a third of the land for housing.

The decision, which was reached last night following a lengthy meeting, means a new complex will be built on the remainder of the site for around £25 million, with the loss of the velodrome.

Campaigners are now planning their next move, and insisted "we lost the battle, but not the war".

Council officials are to produce a fully-costed plan for the future of Meadowbank by October.

It will be months before detailed proposals for the site are drawn up, and it is thought any inquiry into the council's decision would come after the lengthy planning process.

A major sticking point will be deciding what facilities to incorporate, with officials recommending a minimum of sports halls, changing facilities, a gym and fitness studio, indoor athletics and a 5000-seat stadium.

But no mention has so far been made of replacing the popular football pitches, which are regularly booked up within minutes of becoming available.

There will also be calls for martial arts and gymnastics provision, while Commonwealth Games medal winner Chris Black has warned that throwing sports, such as the hammer, could disappear.

Allister Watson, a director of Scottish Cycling, said losing the Meadowbank velodrome could "kill" track cycling in Edinburgh, although the council has promised to identify a replacement training facility.

Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy said: "It's terrible news for cycling. All the time and effort that's been spent, over 40 years, promoting kids' and grassroots cycling in the east of Scotland will be lost."

Yesterday, local Lib Dem councillor Gary Peacock defied his own party to support the three Green politicians, who wanted to refurbish the existing facilities.

But the ruling Lib Dem/SNP administration won with the support of the Conservatives, after agreeing to minor concessions such as investigating the possibility of private sector funds.

Veteran athletics coach Bill Walker, a leading figure in the Save Meadowbank Campaign, said today: "This is a big disappointment. We aren't even getting the same facilities that we've got now. Campaigners will be meeting next Monday. We've lost the battle, but not the war."

Fellow campaigner Kevin Connor said:

"The current facilities are hugely popular and need to be increased to cater for demand. But instead the council has decided to reduce capacity."

Labour councillors also said the overall level of sports provision in the Capital could drop under the plans. The group's sport and culture spokesman Paul Godzik said: "Much more detail is needed, because we have real concerns."

The Tories, who until now have backed original proposals for new facilities at Sighthill, said around £1m of taxpayers' money has been wasted amid the uncertainty.

Administration councillors said they had originally hoped to refurbish the existing stadium, but the £42.7m costs rendered this "unrealistic".

SNP councillor Deidre Brock, the city's sports leader, said: "We have retained facilities at Meadowbank. We as a council must consider what makes the best financial and long-term option, which will maximise potential for residents and visitors."