Last updated 12:50, Thursday, 30 October 2008

I FELT I needed to write in order to express my concern about the absence of a public debate on the proposed new sports stadium for Allerdale.

In my view, people have not been provided with the necessary facts and information to allow them to understand the key points and issues associated with this ambitious and potentially costly project.

To my knowledge, Allerdale Borough Council has yet to give any detailed explanation as to how they have calculated the cost of the project.

Recognising that all councils have a responsibility to act with caution and prudence when spending public money, it would not seem unreasonable for Allerdale to at least give some indication as to why they are in favour of the most expensive option.

Surely, it’s not too much to expect that they let the ratepayer understand the basis of their decision? Let’s remember this is public money.

As with most projects of this nature and scale, the cost of building a new stadium is almost certain to exceed the original estimate.

The council are already on record as saying that funding is needed to address problems with the site of the new stadium.

Namely, flooding and contaminated land. What effect will this have upon the overall cost of the project?

In conclusion, I suppose one of my greatest fears is that the council have not fully calculated all the costs associated with all aspects of the project.

I am particularly worried that the councillors and officers of Allerdale might not have properly considered the long- term costs of operating and maintaining a new sports stadium that at best will benefit at most a few hundred people.

It is my view that this will develop into the biggest white elephant ever to hit Allerdale.

People need to be convinced that building a new stadium is the right option for Allerdale.

More importantly, they need to know that they won’t see large-scale increases in their council tax bills to fund a project that the majority of them will never, or rarely, use.

CHRIS WRIGHT
Brisco Mount
Egremont