Justin Tomlinson MP has joined Cllr. Toby Elliott and Clarke Osborne for Gaming International to break ground as work begins on the new Abbey Stadium – home of the Swindon Robins speedway side.
The existing facility will continue to function whilst building work is underway, with temporary parking and entrance facilities provided for Greyhound Racing and Blunsdon Market operations, including a Park and Ride facility.
Work is set to be complete its first phase (when the new stadium is fully functional) in May 2017 and it is expected that Greyhound Racing, Speedway Racing and the Blunsdon Market will transfer during June 2017. Following the transfer of the promotions, Phase 2, (the demolition of the existing stadium and the provision of new car parks and entrance road) will begin and is expected to be complete by September 2017.
The main contractors for the project are Conlon Ltd (Groundworks) and Wernick (Buildings)
The buildings for the stadium are constructed off site to greatly reduce the overall contract time and improve their thermal efficiency.
Extensive plans have been made to provide for “business as usual” during the construction and the Stadium promotions of Greyhound Racing, Speedway Racing and the Blunsdon Indoor/Outdoor market will be maintained without interruption.
Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking provided a funding package to support the construction of the new site.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It is amazing to think that this project started back in 2006 and it has been 10 years to get us to this day. There have been many obstacles to overcome on that journey and I commend Clarke and his team for their determination and sheer hard work. This development is significant for Greyhound and Speedway racing fans and secures a major new sporting and leisure facility for Swindon. We still have a way to go but we are on the final lap and I am looking forward to the finishing line”
Clarke Osborne, CEO at Gaming International said; “The carefully planned and long awaited construction of our brand-new Greyhound and Speedway Racecourse starts today. Years of planning and hard work have finally come together and we break ground today. There are many on my thank you list and I will save most for the opening day, but for now I would like to thank our MP Justin Tomlinson for his drive and enthusiasm, Toby Elliott and the team at Swindon Borough Council for their proactive support of this complex project and Tom Lloyd-Jones our relationship director at Lloyds Bank for the bank’s financial support of this exciting venture and of my company. We have been through some tough times together and their close working and support is an example of how a solid relationship between a business and its bank can succeed.”
Cllr. Toby Elliott said: “My congratulations to all of the GI team in making this happen and my thanks to my colleagues at Swindon Borough Council who have continued to support this important project, which will provide new, modern leisure facilities for the residents of Swindon”.
Tom Lloyd-Jones, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The new stadium has been a longtime in the making and will be a much welcome addition to the thriving North Swindon community. Its international, national, local and community reach will bring enjoyment to many and help maintain the name of Swindon around the world. Its youth training facilities will help train the safe drivers and riders of the future. We’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Gaming International and are committed to providing ambitious businesses with the support they need to continue to thrive. We have successfully weathered the storms of the financial crisis together and being here today, breaking ground on this major project is an example of a successful partnership between Lloyds Bank and our business customers.”
