READING presenter Paul Hunsdon and promoter Malcolm Holloway were interviewed on Radio Berkshire this morning regarding the uncertainty surrounding the new stadium.
Full transcripts are below and you can also download a MP3 audio clip and listen to what Paul had to say – CLICK HERE.
You can also listen to Malc's comment by clicking here.
-- Paul Hunsdon Interview with Andrew Peach on Radio Berkshire 23/06/09
Peach: So what’s happening with Reading Speedway? Here’s the man who’ll know, Paul Hunsdon, obviously involved with our coverage of Reading Speedway, with us live. Hi Paul.
Hunsdon: Andrew, good morning.
Peach: It sounds like you’ve got Speedway going on the background there!
Hunsdon: It sounded like it didn’t it!
Peach: What’s the deal as far as Reading Speedway is concerned, will we see the riders in Reading again?
Hunsdon: Well, at this precise moment, Andrew, I don’t think we’re looking too hopeful to be honest with you.
Peach: What’s the problem?
Hunsdon: Well, the problem is that in terms of the Speedway promotion are only actually tenants of the stadium, or Smallmead Stadium where they were before, and they were due to be tenants of the new stadium, which was due to be built by a company called Stadia UK further down the A33 towards Reading just by the refuse tip there. And so far there has been no movement at all in terms of the stadium being built that they had planning permission, they’ve had planning permission for well over three years.
Peach: So the council have done their bit, in a way?
Hunsdon: Well, in a way, yes. I mean the council have provided a piece of land as a replacement for Smallmead, but of course it was also the council that originally gave a 99 year lease on Smallmead Stadium and then when they realised that Smallmead was suddenly going to be in a thriving business area, did a deal with the stadium owners that their rent was reduced somewhat if they took a shorter term lease.
Peach: Right, so not entirely blameless then, the local authority, in terms of who’s holding the thing up though, it’s basically the people who own it, who own the land, have got the permission but they aren’t really getting on with it?
Hunsdon: That’s right, I mean, basically Stadia UK who own a number of err, I mean primarily they are a greyhound specialist organisation, who probably see Speedway as a little bit of a necessary evil in a number of their stadiums, have yet to make any significant building in any area where they own stadiums. Exactly the same thing happened in Milton Keynes. Milton Keynes greyhound and Speedway stadium was closed down a number of years ago, with the promise from Stadia UK that they would be building a brand new stadium. That’s never happened, and it looks as if the people of Reading are going to go the same way as the people of Milton Keynes, and go Speedway and greyhound racing-less.
Peach: Ok, Paul thank you very much for that. Here’s Eric now, Hi Eric.
Eric: Good Morning.
Peach: What have you heard about this?
Eric: Little more than Paul. What I can say is, some good news, that I think is good news, and that is that if there is going to be a stadium at Reading, it must include Speedway. My understanding is, that the planning permission is Speedway and one other sport. So if there is a stadium built…
Peach: It can’t just be for the dogs
Eric: That’s right.
Peach: Gotcha. Basically we are all thinking, ok, the permissions there, the lands there, when are you going to get on with it? And no one really knows?
Eric: Correct. If we can find someone with lots of money, we will build a stadium.
Peach: Well let’s try and get some answers out of Stadia UK who own it first. Eric, thank you for that. If you’re a Speedway fan, if you’ve got more rumour to add to this whole thing, then please do. By all means, in the meantime we’ll try and get some proper answers later on from the company who are, not holding it all up, but not getting on with it.
-- Malcolm Holloway Comment on Radio Berkshire 23/06/09
Introduction by Sarah Walker: The Racers had hoped work on a new stadium would start this month, but promoter Steve Holloway says they are having problems with the developers.
Malcolm Holloway: As far as we are understanding, the stadium is supposed to be starting to be built in June, but at this precise moment in time we just haven’t been able to get hold of Stadia UK.
