| Ray Armfield |
As I understand matters, Wimbledon
Stadium is owned by the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) who also
own – and are looking to sell – several other tracks.
I have read that the GRA are only interested in selling them collectively,
not individually and if true, this would kill our interest instantly.
Even if they were to consider a separate sale of the Greyhound Stadium,
the cost of the site itself and developing the new stadium required
on it, would be well beyond our means and wildest dreams. However,
should such a stadium ever be built – either by another sporting
concern and/or in partnership with Merton Council and we were offered
the opportunity of buying into it or a secure tenancy - then of course
we should actively consider it.
Thank you for some interesting and thought-provoking questions. I
hope it (alongside my manifesto) gives Dons Trust members more of
an insight into my candidacy.
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| Matthew Breach |
I think that it is unlikely we will be able
to create a situation where the club can move to the Greyhound Stadium
site into an appropriate stadium without putting ourselves at major
financial risk, however it would be unforgivable not to continue to
look at potential schemes to make the dream a reality. Fan ownership
of the club is a non-negotiable point to me, but using a stadium owned
by someone else (say the council) would not be an issue if the security
of tenure and financial situation were favourable. If re-elected I
would look to continue the "watching brief" we currently
have on this topic. |
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| David Cox |
I don’t believe the Grey hound Stadium
is for sale.
If it was could we afford it?
I would love to return to Wimbledon and the Greyhound Stadium is
one of few opportunities.
The Strategy Review will specifically asses how strongly the membership
share in this ambition and how much effort we should put into making
it happen.
I would not wish to miss out on the option because we were unprepared.
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| Robert Crane |
I’m not sure that there’s
anything that any one person can do to make that dream move become
a reality (unless someone wins the lottery). Firstly, we’re
relying on the current owners wanting to sell it, or at the very least
alter the way it’s used: unless they do that, we’re stumped.
Secondly, we’d realistically have to be part of a consortium
to finance the redevelopment work – so we’d be reliant
on other companies and/or organisations wanting to join us.
All we can do, collectively, is keep a watching brief, put out feelers
and try to build good relationships with any organisations that might
be able to help us make that dream become a reality, especially Merton
Council. That way, if the opportunity does come up, we’ll be
ready to swing into action. I trust that the Stadium Working Group
and the club chief executive have been doing something like this already;
if not, I will urge them to do so.
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| Warren Harvey |
Unfortunately I know very little about the
possibility of a move, however, from what I do know, it looks as if
it will be prohibitively expensive. It is something that I’m
keen to take an interest in and is certainly something I’d look
to find out more on if I were to be elected. |
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| Ivor Heller |
I love the idea and would do everything I
could to turn a pipedream into a reality. The finance will always
be a stumbling block. I would like to see WISA start this as a localised
campaign. If that got a good reaction then just maybe the council/government
would sit up and take notice. If no one starts this campaign then
I doubt that we would stand a chance of it happening. Perhaps the
DT Board should look at doing this? |
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| Nigel Higgs |
If the greyhound stadium could work for us
then I would be delighted. Making it a reality is a big ask, I suppose
my best contribution will be to ensure it is kept on the agenda of
the DTB and football club boards. |
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| Sean McLaughlin |
Given that the Stadium is owned by a private
equity fund that is looking to maximise their returns, in reality
I think that the possibility of a move is less than 50/50. If elected
I will push to have continual dialogue with both the owners, and also
other interested parties to ensure that we are poll position should
the stadium be for sale |
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| Iain McNay |
UNLESS SOMEONE COMES ALONG WITH A LOT OF MONEY
WHO WANTS TO FINANCE THIS AND DOESN'T WANT TO CONTROL THE CLUB, THIS
IS UNREALISTIC. |
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| Ronan Warde |
I am a single issue candidate so have no official
position on this. Please do not vote for me. |
