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Post by Genghis on Jun 4, 2008 12:51:57 GMT
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Post by braveheart on Jun 4, 2008 13:26:10 GMT
Genghis, look where the news is from and the poster can't even back the news up. If it is true, lets hope the new stadium is ready to go.
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Post by nobbyclark on Jun 4, 2008 13:36:23 GMT
had better put Wacks on suicide watch! Seriously though - This does sound grim for Speedway down that neck of the woods - hope it ain't true!
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Post by Genghis on Jun 4, 2008 15:21:44 GMT
Genghis, look where the news is from and the poster can't even back the news up. If it is true, lets hope the new stadium is ready to go. What worries me, though, is that nodoby has denied the story. Which makes me think it's true.
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Post by marron on Jun 4, 2008 15:41:48 GMT
Fingers crossed everything will turn out ok
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Post by nobbyclark on Jun 4, 2008 15:45:25 GMT
What worries me, though, is that nodoby has denied the story. Which makes me think it's true. hahaha Snigger!! wasn't he not a House Elf in Harry Potter ? ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2008 21:39:54 GMT
News on new stadium has gone a bit quiet of late. It's no secret that GI are financially "up shit creek" and that the majority of the funding for the new Racino was coming from the casino investors. Work was due to start in Feb/Mar time this year, but as of yet nothing has started.
Obviously it's a bit worrying, but I honestly don't think the council owned area ear marked for the new stadium would be used for commercial/residential use. Planning consent has been issued a few times for a new stadium in one guise or another on this piece of land over the past few years.
The situation isn't at the moment as bad as it could be. We have the land for a new home, just it seems nobody who wants to build it.
Another glimmer of hope is that Smallmead land owers The Pru, own Green Park (the large business park behind the Mad Stad), last time I was down that way quite a few of the large hi-tech offices were standing there gleaming but empty. Despite this, The Pru plan to continue with the development of the site, can't see them starting to develop Smallmead until they've finished Green Park - also can't see them developing Smallmead if so many of their Green Park units remain empty.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2008 9:47:32 GMT
Have to say I agree with you Wacks.
I don't think there is need for a knee jerk 'Save Our Reading' campaign just yet and contrary to the panic-stricken Reading forum or the Loony left political BSF I actually think Mark Legg's official announcement regarding it sounded pretty optimistic.
If the planning application stands for 3 years then RBC and the Pru would be churlish not to let us extend the year-by-year deal until that 3 years is up. If nothing is built by then then that may be the time to start really worrying.
Or maybe I should take the rose-tinted specs off. I look forward to any announcements that may occur on Monday.
Pip
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2008 8:17:26 GMT
Spoke to somebody last night (who will remain nameless) who told me that the promotion are as 'in the dark' as everyone else concerning the future of Smallmead. I did get the distinct impression that some plan of action is being put in place as the individual wasn't very good at lying when I asked if there was a plan Pip
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 11:11:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 13:00:59 GMT
Apparently The Rank group have stepped in after Stanley Casinos pulled out of the Racino project. RanK already run a dilapidated Bingo hall in Reading town centre (old Top Rank club) which is due for demolition/redevelopment if/when John Madjeski gets planning permission for his new regeneration project around by Reading Station. They also run Grosvenor Casino in the town which while popular doesn't really have any easy public transport links to it. It has been mentioned that this maybe an ideal possiblity for Rank to combine their Casino & Bingo operations into one building, still close to the TC and with better facilities/transport links. The fact that Rank have stepped in at all gives some hope as their originally objected to the plans of opening up another Casino in the town. If we are to be at a new track in 2009, it's going to be basic with temporary facilities, but after enduring 33 years at Smallmead, that should make us feel right at home.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 13:30:53 GMT
The Pru plan to continue with the development of the site, can't see them starting to develop Smallmead until they've finished Green Park - also can't see them developing Smallmead if so many of their Green Park units remain empty. The problem is that with the best will in the world, Smallmead Stadium look increasingly incongruous in that area as shiny new buildings go up. I'm afraid it is a real eyesore, and must put off potential tenants. I'd guess the Pru would prefer to raze the whole thing to the ground, even if the site has to sit empty for a few years.
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Post by nobbyclark on Jul 25, 2008 13:52:57 GMT
Latest on Speedway.tv
READING'S former World Cup Final venue Smallmead Stadium will close to speedway at the end of the current season. The club hosted the Race-Off and Final of the World Cup in 2006, when a highly eventful meeting was won by Denmark. Current owner Mark Legg took charge of the club midway through last season, and they returned to the Premier League over the winter. Hopes remain that they will be able to move into a new stadium for next year, but they have also announced plans to stage a special end-of-era event at Smallmead on October 19. Legg said: "This will be our last year of racing at Smallmead and, come the end of the campaign, the final time that speedway will be seen at this stadium. "I urge everyone to come out and show your support for the Racers in our last season at this historic speedway venue. "We are still looking to be in the new stadium in time for the 2009 season, but, in the meantime, I trust that everyone will come along and show their support for the team during the run-up to the end of the club’s Smallmead tenure."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 14:46:12 GMT
The Pru plan to continue with the development of the site, can't see them starting to develop Smallmead until they've finished Green Park - also can't see them developing Smallmead if so many of their Green Park units remain empty. The problem is that with the best will in the world, Smallmead Stadium look increasingly incongruous in that area as shiny new buildings go up. I'm afraid it is a real eyesore, and must put off potential tenants. I'd guess the Pru would prefer to raze the whole thing to the ground, even if the site has to sit empty for a few years. You'd think they'd be more interest in letting the empty offices already on Green Park which have been standing vacant for a number of years now. Smallmead can't be seen from Green Park, the sewage farm can though!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 22:51:33 GMT
article in today's Evening Post.... Looks like I might need to buy some new trainers for next season!
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