24/05/07 - Speedway Stadium Plans Close To Submission

A proposal to build a brand-new greyhound stadium at Blunsdon will be submitted to Swindon Council in a matter of weeks.

And Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads) has told the Adver that the Swindon Robins will definitely be included in the plans submitted by Abbey Stadium owners Gaming International.

The Robins' future had been in doubt last summer after Gaming International and Thistle Land proposed to demolish the existing stadium and replace it with a smaller arena without speedway in a development, which included 350 homes.

But an Adver campaign backed by a huge outpouring of public support forced Gaming International to perform a u-turn and include speedway in a new stadium development.

Since then the council and the stadium owners have been locked in a series of talks to keep the Robins at their home of 59 years. "My understanding is that it is weeks rather than months, in terms of the plans being submitted," confirmed Coun Tomlinson.

"The proposal will incorporate a speedway track, which is an essential part of the plans. "The developers have been liasing with the council and parish council for months and this is potentially a very exciting development.

"Firstly it would secure the future of speedway in Swindon and, from a ward perspective, it would see a change in land use from light industrial to a more appropriate residential development."

The Adver understands that Gaming International is currently fine-tuning its stadium plans before submitting them in the coming weeks and that speedway is very much at the forefront of any development.

In January local youngsters met with Coun Tomlinson and the North Swindon MP to help decide what facilities should be included in the new stadium.

One proposal, which the developers and youngsters were discussing further, is to have a workshop where children can learn about the mechanics of things like motorbikes and go-karts.

Robins co-promoter and team manager said news that the plans for the new stadium were to be submitted in the very near future was great for the team.

He said: "We are very positive about what's happening.

"We have had meetings with Gaming International and everything has been really upbeat.

"When it first came out that we weren't included in the plans we were all a bit worried, but since the outcry of all the fans and the media, it certainly helped our cause because everybody was getting behind us including the local residents.

"We are all looking forward now, but I wouldn't expect us to be in a new stadium by next season. I think realistically it will be the season after."

Swindon Advertiser 24/05/07