White Rock - "Not Over Budget"

Rumours have long since circulated that the council would run out of money for this stadium and that things, that they class as luxuries, may be overlooked to keep within the budget that has been allocated (£39 million) These kind of facilities could include a supporters bar although nothing has been shown by the council to evidence one way or the other whether the proposed bar and other facilities will be included within the stadium.

The full article in the Evening Post reads as follows: -

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"Claims that White Rock stadium is up to £2.5 million over budget have been strongly denied by Swansea Council and the building firm behind the project. The Evening Post has been told there may be problems with a shortfall in funding for the project. There are also rumours on the Swansea City fans' websites - Jackarmy.net and scfc.co.uk - of a £2.5 million gap in funding. And the Post has been told of allegations of a split over how the proceeds of the 20,000-capacity sports venue are to be split between those involved in the project. But Swansea Council and Interserve, which is building the stadium, have refuted these claims saying they are merely baseless rumours. The stadium will be the new home for Swansea City which will move there from Vetch Field. The Neath-Swansea Ospreys will also play some of their matches there. Alongside the stadium is a £25 million retail development being created by Miller Construction which will include B &Q and Morrisons stores. It was revealed in the Evening Post in March that the stadium would cost more than £39 million with almost £4 million coming from public money. Cabinet member for culture and recreation, Robert Francis-Davies, said he had no reason to believe the stadium would cost more than this figure. "From facts that I have before me in this moment in time we are working to the £39 million. I have had nothing in front of me to indicate otherwise." He attacked the rumours, saying people should focus on the grand new facility that Swansea Council was providing for the city. "We are managing the process extremely well," he said. "This is an absolutely brilliant facility and the only better facility in Wales will be the Millennium Stadium. "Swansea Council is building a 20,000 seater stadium which will be ready on time, which will have 29 hospitality boxes, a function room, board rooms and more." He also described the relationship between the council, football club and Interserve as very good. The final roof truss on the West Stand was being put in place yesterday and the fit-out of the building is due to start in the new year. It is planned to be ready for the 2005/06 football season. A Swansea City FC source, who did not want to be named, has also denied there is any ill-feeling between those involved in the project. And an Interserve spokesman said: "The short answer is that there's no issue with the budget. "From our perspective, relationships are excellent. These are baseless rumours."

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I guess that within twelve months we will know the answer to the rumours on over funding but until such time as any evidence is provided then it is natural that people look on some of these comments with a hint of suspicion bearing in mind that the local elections arrive on 10 June and it is highly unlikely that the council would want to jeopardise the vote of the local sporting fans with exact comments on the insides of the new stadium.

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