MEP AND
CHARITY SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE PRIME MINISTER – SAVE OUR ARENA IN ASTON
An Independent MEP alongside a local charity have today
delivered a hefty petition to 10 Downing Street.
Nikki Sinclaire alongside Bidgley Power charity delivered a
petition containing over 3000 names protesting about the closure, and soon to
be demolished Aston Arena.
This is despite the charity offering to run the centre for
the community, in an area that severely lacks sports provision. The Arena is
now set to be demolished as a part of Birmingham City Council’s Area Action
Plan (AAP).
The council’s AAP lists a number of alternative sites to
play sport, but the reality of the area is very different, with facilities
offering limited opening hours or being exclusive for certain age groups only.
Nikki Sinclaire said of the plans, “I am disappointed that
following meetings with Birmingham City Council, they are not budging on their
plans for the area.
Why not give the arena to this charity? This is a unique
facility that can be used for a number of events and really unite this
community”.
Her finding of this site was just the tip of the iceberg,
after discovering there is little to no affordable sporting facilities
available to the community at evenings and weekends.
With high levels of unemployment and lower than average
house hold incomes, expensive private sporting facilities are out of reach for
local residents who are increasingly frustrated as affordable sports services
appear to decrease.
Ms Sinclaire and volunteers of the charity will head to
Downing Street on Wednesday to present a petition to save Aston Arena, as well
as highlighting the urgent need for sports services that meet the community’s
needs.
Among those who will make the journey to Number 10 is
Pritesh Pattni, who was a torchbearer in the run up to the London Olympics.
Mr Pattni has volunteered for over 25 years, and is chairman
of Bidgley Power, a charity that organises and subsidise sporting activities
for the community in Aston, despite problems in accessing facilities to hold
sports sessions.
Nikki said, “During a time when the Olympics dominates our
consciousness, what will happen to the 5 year old in Aston who wants to emulate
the sporting heroes they see on screen, yet they have no facilities to do so.
The people of Aston feel forgotten about. Sport is a way of
engaging communities, and connecting those of all ages.
I support Bidgley Power’s plan for Aston Arena and their
wider philosophy of establishing community relationships and trust through the
power of sport.
I have written to the Secretary of State and the Department
of Media Culture and sport – and now I’m bringing our message to the Prime
Minister.
This is about health, not wealth”.
-
- Ends
- -
