By Glen Leat
December 21 2006

Well over 20,000 people have now signed the "Keep Bath Rugby at the Rec" petition and this is a fantastic show of support for our campaign. However the official review Questionnaire is currently in the public domain and your completion will similarly make a positive impact.

You can be assured that the anti-rugby brigade will be completing this Questionnaire to show a strength of support for the removal of Bath Rugby from the Rec so we need as many pro-rugby folk as possible to complete it. Hurry up though, you only have a couple of weeks to do this.

The Questionnaire is quite lengthy and, on first reading, could appear a little daunting. However if, like me, you are a supporter of Option 2 then the following reasoning for supporting this option may remind you of some of the arguments as you complete the Questionnaire. 

Complete the Questionnaire by clicking here

Why did you choose this option?

• Best delivery time for keeping Bath Rugby at the Rec
• Functional and good compromise
• No public finance is required
• Arena could be used for other sports, concerts, events etc
• Will not be oppressive as is Option 3
• Keeps within the open space covenant
• New footprint unlikely to be in excess of 30% so does not dominate the Rec
• The existing buildings are an eyesore and it would be aesthetically pleasing to have a new arena for rugby and other sports and concerts etc
• The rear of the West Stand facing the rear will be more attractive and could have cafes, restaurants etc, bringing to life an area very unused in the Summer.
• The cricket festival will not be affected by the extra lease to the East as this will coincide with the boundary line of the cricket and the ground made good after the stand is taken down.

Doyou wish to make any comments on the other options?

Option 1

Very costly whole thing will be at the tax payers expense and compensation to Bath Rugby for forfeiting the 62 years left on their lease could be substantial

Lack of income from Bath Rugby would seriously affect the ongoing finances of the Trust annually.

Great sadness at Bath Rugby not being able to play at the Rec again after 100 years and no where else in the City available for them to move to.

Loss of business in restaurants, bars, accommodation outlets and shops in the city on match days.

 Loss to the Bath community, schools, youth clubs etc from lack of Bath Rugby in Bath

The Rec will be very under used and eventually may deteriorate

Waste of an open space

This option could be against the covenant that all sports of any kind to be played at the Rec, why not professional rugby?

Option 3

Sketchy on financing, where is the finance (£37 million?) coming from

This scheme relies heavily on Bath Rugby to put in £16 million and expect the Club to be a tenant. This will not be acceptable to the Rugby Club

Far too ambitious and will be overbearing for the area. Financing might need cross commercial loans so does this mean housing, hotel accommodation etc?

Knocking down the Pavilion will attract a big hue and cry from Bath residents many of whom regard this building with a great degree of sentimentality.

The Sports centre is built on open space and this scheme will require a change in the covenant not to return it to open space.

A similar scheme was put up by Bath Rugby in 2000 which resulted in the objections raised and the High Court judgment in 2002.

Scheme presumably requires Bath Rugby to surrender its lease has this been accounted for in the estimate of £37 million?