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Christian offers compromise over Bowl
A COMPROMISE in the battle over the Bowl redevelopment is being proposed by Douglas Council leader David Christian.
Councillor Christian wants to break the deadlock between the authority, which is willing to transfer the Bowl to the government without Pulrose car park, and tourism chiefs who are demanding both.
Treasury Minister Allan Bell has warned that there will be no deal without the car park, insisting: 'It's all or nothing'. His words prompted a swift response from councillors who suggested it would be the government's fault if the scheme fell through.
But Mr Christian will propose to councillors tomorrow (Wednesday) that they offer to transfer the car park in return for a long lease to run it as general pay and display parking.
He claimed the Department of Tourism and Leisure had told him the council's decision would 'make or break' the whole redevelopment of the Bowl in time for next summer.
He also claimed the DTL was so anxious to start the work that it planned to begin advertising for contractors this week, before knowing the outcome of his proposal.
Mr Christian said the council's concern was not losing the 6,000 made by the car park per year but the DTL's plan to designate it as overflow parking for the National Sports Centre.
The authority feared this, coupled with the anticipated re-development of the old bus station car park, would leave too little parking for commuters and shoppers.
Losing both sites would decrease the number of pay and display spaces by more than 300.
Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said the DTL's comments amounted to 'blackmail' after the council had already shown it was willing to hand over the Bowl for a nominal sum.
Last month, the DTL's director of Leisure services Mike Ball admitted it was in a race against time to refurbish the Bowl in time for the Commonwealth Youth Games 2011.
He said a transfer of the site had to have been completed or at least set up by the end of January so work could begin on a 3.4 million project to turn it into a top-flight stadium.
Tourism Minister Martyn Quayle is due to make a statement on the Bowl in Tynwald next week.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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YOUR COMMENTS
Why is the government proposing to spend over 3m refurbishing the bowl when it can't find the money to cover the cost of maintaining the reciprocal health agreement? Many older or ill Manx residents will be unable to travel to the UK as they will not be able to get travel insurance, but don't worry, at least some children will be able to chuck a javelin in 2011. Tony Brown and his cronies have no sympathy for the plight of Manx pensioners or the sick, I assume because their Bupa will cover them when they travel to the UK. Speak with your vote at the next election, people!
ANON
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
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