Use Casino Site to Replicate Cycling Success for Other Sports, say Manchester Lib Dems

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Aug 2008

Manchester Liberal Democrats Call For More Investment in the City's Sports Infrastructure

The Government could repay the people of East Manchester for the 3,500 jobs it destroyed when it cancelled the Casino by replicating the success of the British cyclists for other sports, according to Manchester Lib Dem leader Councillor Simon Ashley.

A proud Mancunian, Cllr Ashley congratulated the successful British and local sportspeople, and called for further development of the City's sporting infrastructure:

"Manchester can be rightly proud for the part it has played in developing cycling talent at the East Manchester velodrome. It is a model that has worked for cycling, so why not replicate it for other sports in East Manchester? We have a first class athletics facility already, and tennis, squash and football facilities. With the cancellation of the Casino, there is now capacity to develop other Olympic sports on one site, with the necessary support infrastructure. This would guarantee even better results in London in 2012."

Cllr Ashley added:

"When Gordon Brown withdrew the Super Casino in East Manchester, he cost Manchester 3,500 jobs and £265million of investment. He owes East Manchester big. Here is one way he could start to repay that debt."

Ends....