It was with a degree of resignation, rather than surprise, than I read the news that the proposed Altrincham Ice Rink replacement has been delayed by an incoming administration in Trafford. I've firmly believed that the driving force behind building any sporting facility, let alone an ice rink, is that the local council has to *want* it to be built.
If Trafford Council had truly wanted a replacement for Altrincham, there would have been one built by now. Simple as.
The attitude towards sport in this country is disgraceful. Next week, Portugal will host the Euro 2004 final in a stadium that cost 120 million Euros, about 100 million quid. The oft-delayed Wembley, which no football fan wants, will cost seven and a half times as much.
Government will not put money into the sporting facilities that people *want* or *need*, instead preferring the "Big Bang" approach. Politicians approve grandiose projects with an eye on their place in history, not a care for their community. It is a disgrace that Greater Manchester cannot get an ice rink built.
But then, should we be surprised? Schools are forced to sell off their playing fields to raise funds. Kids aren't encouraged to play football in the street, becuase it is anti-social, or they might be grabbed by some passing paedophile. Is it any surprise that kids are obese when parents choose to drive them 200 yards to school in a gas-guzzling 4x4 instead of walking with them?
I suppose I was lucky, growing up on the edge of a small town and the garden backed onto the local council run football pitches. But I went back there the other week and the local paper ran an article about stopping kids gathering in the park. What the heck are they supposed to do?
2 comments:
Of course the new administration is 'lookig' at the plans again....change of political power from Labour to Tory.
Could be an upside though, as apparently the tory councillors were biased towards the larger PI/HEnry Boot bid (3000 seat IIRC), prefering the 'big bang' approach.
But yeah, the attituides to sports is piss poor. We had the finest athletics track in the world (according to those who ran on it)....which was promptly ripped up so Man City (lets face it a 'minor' team compared to United) could have 10,000 extra seats.....remarkably the majority of citys attendances were between 8-10,000 under the capacity...hmmmmm.
It was always going to be ripped up - because the British Olympic Association refused to put money in to keep it - they preferred Picketts Lock.
Giving it to City was the only way to stop the stadium becoming unused for 90% of the year.
The BOA whinged afterwards about losing such a great facility, when in fact they didn't show the faith in it beforehand.
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