Plans for Meadowbank Stadium cause controversy
The renovation of Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium may result in its capacity being reduced from 16,000 to 5,000 seats so Edinburgh Council can sell excess land to fund further indoor sports facilities.
Although it is at the outline planning stage, the decision has caused much controversy with the Meadowbank Community Council, which claims that it is completely at odds with what the public want.
Giacomo Modica, community council chair explained: “It will mean the loss of almost two-thirds of the existing facilities – we need more facilities not less.” However, a spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said this is completely wrong - no decision has been made on the full range of facilities that may be included.
“Currently, approximately 5,000 seats in the stadium are usable due to aging. To a refurbish the arena back to its 16,000-seat capacity would cost in the region of £42.7m and a new-build of the same standard £60m – completely out of the council’s reach – instead, we are aiming for around £25m.”
The council is applying to Sportscotland, the national agency for sport, for a £2m grant through the National Regional Sports Initiative. A condition of receiving support from this programme is to produce a new-build that delivers national/international facilities of competition standards.
The rest of the funding will need to be generated by the sale of 8.5 acres of land for £17m, possibly for housing developments, with a further £6m from the council.
Phase one is merely considered to be the arena’s construction, but what may follow in time is the expansion of sports facilities.
The council will be investigating what the city, governing bodies such as Scottish Athletics and local clubs need in terms of facilities up until October 2008 when they hope to make a more informed decision for the development.
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
The Isola delle Rose has a rich history and an enviable location. Matteo Thun knew he had to capitalise on both with the design of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa