Message from Colin Hutchison, chief executive of scottishathletics.
scottishathletics, alongside Falkirk Victoria Harriers and Forth Valley Flyers, have worked diligently and at pace over the last nine months to find a viable solution that safeguards the short-term future of Grangemouth Stadium.
Falkirk Council have been clear with scottishathletics and partners that any solution presented has to absolve the Council of any operational and financial responsibility for Grangemouth Stadium.
In September, we submitted to Falkirk Council a business case proposing to establish a new community organisation to operate the Stadium. The initial proposal was to seek a Community Asset Transfer from the Council.
From subsequent discussions with Falkirk Council it became apparent that a Community Asset Transfer would be difficult at this point, however, a proposal to take on a licence to operate for a year was presented to scottishathletics and partners.
On behalf of the partners and the proposed community organisation, we have indicated to Falkirk Council our intention to take on the licence to operate.
If agreed with Falkirk Council and the partners, the new community organisation would operate the facility not scottishathletics.
To date there has been no formal agreement with Falkirk Council.
As well as requiring agreement on the licence to operate there are still several significant factors to be considered by Falkirk Council, scottishathletics, FVH and FVF to determine whether the facility can be operationally viable.
Not least, we await the final outcome of a condition survey to update on significant outstanding maintenance on the Stadium (circa £2m) which could impact our ability to operate.
Whilst scottishathletics, the clubs and the wider athletics community are desperate to find a solution that retains Grangemouth Stadium, this can only be done with full consideration of the risks for all partners and with confidence that the facility can be operationally viable for the new community organisation.
We will provide further updates to the sport as soon as there is certainty on the future of Grangemouth Stadium.
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Grangemouth
