RM $490m sports centre in London!!??
MY Ministry sticks with London sports centre plan,24
Jul 2006
KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sports Ministry will continue
pursuing the building of the controversial sports centre outside
London despite strong objections from many quarters, including the
opposition parties.
According to Bernama, its minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said, said
the centre was needed to mould Malaysian sportsmen to become high
achievers.
She slammed detractors of the project, saying their criticisms were
baseless, especially with regard to the cost of the project.
"I dont see why this project has become an issue because the cost,
which was raised by Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, has yet to be
finalised."
Media reports that the centre would cost RM490 million triggered an
outcry from many quarters, including opposition parties who claimed
that the money could be put to better use in Malaysia.
Azalina, however, said the Finance Ministry had the last say on the
matter as it was a government project.
The proposed centre is to be located at the Tun Abdul Razak Rubber
Research Centre (TARRC) in Brickendonbury in Hertfordshire, some
24km from the approved site of the 2012 London Olympic Games
village.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last
Wednesday had said that the British authorities would not allow
additional buildings to be built at the TARRC because it had been
gazetted as a heritage site. In view of this, Azalina said the
National Sports Council would meet the Malaysian Rubber Board next
week to discuss the possibility of sharing the TARRC
facility.
The outcome of the meeting would be presented to the Cabinet
Committee on Sports at its next meeting in September for further
consideration, Azalina added.
Meanwhile, Shahriman Johari reports from London that local council
officials have not received any request to build a sports training
centre for Malaysian athletes in Brickendonbury.
"We havent received an application," Lorraine Kirk, a senior
communications officer for the East Herts Council, told the New
Straits Times. .
"Any planning application will be dealt in line with current
legislation and planning procedure," said East Herts Councils
leader, Tony Jackson.
The rules for constructing buildings in the United Kingdom are
tough. It is more so when the area is located in a green belt, a
ring of countryside protected by law from urbanisation.
TARRC is in a green belt and has buildings classified as heritage
buildings. This means any external work to the buildings will not
be allowed.
The plan to turn the centre into a sports hub was approved by the
Cabinet Committee for Sports Development, whose members include 15
Cabinet ministers and is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Najib Tun Razak.
2.more info
3.what do u think if SG govt proposes this centre in New York?
