Last updated 11:15, Friday, 10 October 2008

REGARDING the controversial building of a new sports stadium in Workington, as a person who was born and bred in the town, that whoever intends to build this new stadium is about 20 years too late.

A stadium of this stature should have been built when we had good rugby and football teams, and when the youth of the day had the drive to benefit from such facilities.

The money would now be better spent improving the Derwent and Borough Park grounds, and the Moorclose Sports Centre and Swimming Baths, which would only cost half the amount that is estimated that will be spent on the new sports stadium.

Leave Derwent Park for rugby and the best supported sport of speedway. This would give the chance to upgrade Borough Park, which, since my youth, has been the Reds ground.

Then, with the millions you have left, you could build affordable houses for the couples who are starting off in life. There’s plenty of land on the old quayside.

Over the years the council has destroyed our small communities so perhaps building on the quayside will bring the trend back.

As a person born on the quay, I know how much the community spirit meant. In my adopted town of Cockermouth I have also seen these communities go.

I say to the prospective proposers of this stadium, let the people of Workington decide what’s best for its town, and not people from outside.

Who knows, if this stadium does get built, Workington may be able to host the next Olympic Games.

Well, we are all allowed to dream.

GEORGE (JEEP) JONES
Lingfell Avenue
Cockermouth