Campaigners say stadium is not funds tool

Published on Thursday 12 April 2007 12:07

THE upgrading of the Royal Commonwealth pool should be paid for by the team bidding to bring the Commonwealth Games to Scotland, campaigners say.

Members of the Save Meadowbank Stadium campaign said that part of the bid should involve bringing the pool up to scratch for use in 2014. The city council has said it needs the money from selling Meadowbank Stadium to pay for the pool's refurbishment.

But Save Meadowbank spokeswoman Paula Ferguson said: "I am delighted at plans for Edinburgh to play a part in Scotland's bid for the Games.

"However, I don't see why the citizens of Edinburgh have to lose a prime facility in order to do so. The cost of refurbishment should be met partly from Scotland's Commonwealth Games bid."

The Save Meadowbank campaign was formed last month by people living around the stadium who are concerned by its demise, as well as sports clubs who use it. It aims to halt the city council's plan to demolish the stadium.