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	STATEMENT TO REC TRUSTEES (JUN 2007)           REC TRUSTEE LEGAL ISSUES (JAN 2007)           PRESS STATEMENT: BATHSPORT SUPPORTS ‘KEEP BATH RUGBY AT THE REC’ CAMPAIGN (07/11/06)           The future of the Bath Recreation Ground: Bath Sport submission to the Strategic Review - October 2006           Bath Chronicle 17 October 2005. VISION FOR FUTURE OF REC           BathSport Public Meeting at Pavilion, 30 September 2005. Summary notes Question and answer session           Bath Chronicle 1 October 2005 Rec revolution – consortium warns city risks missing out on benefits of Olympics if it can’t agree           Bath Chronicle Comment - 1 October 2005 Extra time in debate on Rec           Bath Chronicle – 30 august 2005 Opponents must make a real case           Bath Chronicle – 27 August 2005 Consortium backs bid to redevelop ground Businessman shows his support but warns of political and legal restrictions           Bath Chronicle – 22 August 2005 Rugby sustainable in Bath city centre           Bath Chronicle – 19 August 2005 Get on with Rec plan as soon as possible           Bath Chronicle – 29 July2005 Rec stands come under pressure           Bath Chronicle – 28 July 2005 Rugby is a vital party of the city           Bath Chronicle – 28 July 2005 Bath facing Rec dilemma           The Bath Chronicle – Editorial Comment – 22 July 2005 A bold vision of wide-open space           Bath Chronicle – Sporting dream for the heart of Bath           Bath Chronicle – 22 July 2005 Time to fulfil the potential           Bath Chronicle – 22 July 2005 ‘We must get away from the idea that we want just rugby’           Bath Chronicle – 22 July 2005 Chainsaws provoked birth of group
			BathSport Public Meeting at Pavilion, 30 September 2005 Summary notes Question and answer session Q What is BathSport? Who are the members? What is our competence? Why are we doing this? (The purpose of the question appeared to be that, if we are volunteers, do we have the experience and money to see it through?) A Our response was that we do not have the experience or the money, and are not proposing to do it ourselves. We are leading a community initiative. When we have sufficient community and political support, we will hand the project over to a suitably qualified developer, and at least one such company has already expressed an interest. Bob Calleja, General Manager of Bath Rugby There are many questions, but BathSport have made a start. The Club has a robust lease on their part of the Ground. They are interested in this scheme. It is not an option to do nothing. The Club are working on two versions of the Horseshoe proposal; a temporary version, which might come into play if there are delays to our scheme, and a permanent version which they would fall back on if our scheme failed. They would be submitting planning applications for these proposals. Robert Groves, Local Resident He was not convinced by our talk of the Olympics and thought the link with John Wood was far-fetched. But he would be prepared to get involved. He is happy with Bath Rugby’s Horseshoe proposal; the Riverside needs doing. What size will rugby crowds be in the future? Terry Gazzard, Chairman of Pulteney Street Residents’ Association Their Executive have conflicting views on the planning application for the East Stand extension and so they decided to carry out a survey of residents. 580 residences were sent a form and there was a 13% response. There was a 2:1 vote in favour of the Rugby Club. He would be happy to put our proposal to the residents. Q Concerned about how the existing non-sport uses of the Leisure Centre and Pavilion will be catered for. For example, popular exercise classes such as yoga and pilates which take place in both venues. The questioner was in favour of rugby staying on the Rec, but not taking over. A Our response was that the existing facilities would be replaced, within the curtailage of the scheme, with equivalent or probably better ones. Peter Mowat (?), city centre resident, social member Bath CC, Bath Rugby Trustee Q Pleased to see a vision and a plan. But there was one five years ago, which fell down; will that happen to this one, for example, because of a lack of money? Had we really thought the scheme through; there were a lot of detailed questions? It was a quality presentation and scheme. How long will it take? A Our response was that there was an 18 month window for decisions to be made. If it was not finished within 3 years we would start having problems. Mike Roe, Chairman of Bath Cricket Club He understands the questions in peoples’ minds, but we have all got to make this happen. (?), PR Officer of Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club Bath Rugby is well known in the rugby world as having the best venue in the UK, but the worst facilities. Something needs to be done; either the BathSport scheme or the Horseshoe. Richard Cook, Bathonian Are we thinking too small? Within a few years, Bath Rugby will require a capacity of 25,000? What about a Stadium on the Western Riverside? Paul Crossley later responded that the land on the Western Riverside was owned by developers, and its value was too high to accommodate this proposal. Q Where will the car parks go? A Our response was that they could go underneath or at adjacent sites. But the real answer to the question was that Bath must have a car parking policy and locations for the whole city centre. Robert Groves, again On hearing that the scheme included flats, shops and maybe a hotel, claimed that we were shooting ourselves in the foot. The response was that there was room for these facilities in a realistic commercial scheme, and it would be no different to any other block in Bath; for example, the North Parade opposite. Alison Baker, Manager of Sport within Bath & NE Somerset Council She offered the support of her Department behind this scheme. Neil Jackson, local resident. He had been professionally involved with the Treasury Solicitor during the legal hearings regarding the Rec. He is pro-sport and pro-Bath and wants something to happen to the land. Not sufficient funding from the Council. He has difficulties with the plc status of the Rugby Club. (?) Bath is a fantastic city. Problems need solutions within this context. Bath badly needs a success. If nothing happens, within 15 years, Bath will be one of Britain’s “inner cities”. Paul Crossley, Leader, responding on behalf of Council Thanked BathSport for a challenging proposition. The land is not owned by the Council and they have to work with the Charity Commission and engage with the citizens. The “Future for Bath” Vision has been launched under the leadership of Councillor Darracott. It has identified under-utilised assets, mostly along the river, and this proposal is highly relevant to the new vision. The Western Riverside is owned by the developers and the land value is high. There are 2,700 housing units planned and the consequent traffic issues have to be accommodated. There is not enough land in Bath. This has started a debate. We all need to engage with it. It is welcome. Maybe the 18 month timescale is a bit ambitious? Don Foster, MP for Bath Bath Rugby is absolutely vital to the city for many reasons not least because of all the community work they do. It must stay in Bath and on the Rec. We don’t care which bit of the Rec. There are technical legal problems in the context of its charitable status, and the views of local people are important. This scheme, if successful, will solve a lot of problems. There are many benefits and it should trigger a general debate. It is one option. He urged the audience to acknowledge the contribution of BathSport, who have rendered a service to the city. top