Racing plans may be dead but what should be done with city’s crumbling grandstand?
NOW that plans to bring racing back to Lincoln's West Common are dead, the question on everyone's lips is "what is next for the dilapidated grandstand?"
It is widely accepted the grandstand, which sits at the busy gateway to Lincoln, is not so grand.
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The Grandstand in Carholme Road, Lincoln.
The grade two listed building slumps in a sorry state, while other areas of the city are upgraded and regenerated.
The Lincoln Racecourse Regeneration Company's proposal would have tackled the problem to a degree, but its idea for an accompanying racecourse on the West Common has sunk out of sight.
Emile van der Zee, who rallied the community against the racecourse with the Hands Off Our Common Campaign, has created a group to set a vision for the grandstand.
He said: "What we are looking at are all the possibilities with the grandstand, from an economic, social and financial perspective. It really is in the brainstorming stages to see what we can come up with. We want to come up with something where everyone is asked to give ideas – anyone in the area who is interested in the grandstand."
The grandstand is seen as an important asset to Lincoln groups, including the Lincoln Association of Muslims and the Cheeky Monkeys toddler group.
And the general feeling has been that it should be kept as a community facility.
Some of the ideas floating around include a museum linked to others in the city, an art project, a restaurant and a place for children to visit to learn about wildlife and local heritage.
Jez Ashberry, a resident of Cambridge Avenue in Lincoln's West End, echoed those sentiments. He said: "To see the grandstand restored to something like its former self would be fantastic.
"It's a major landmark for people approaching the city and it is a shame that it's been left in its present state. The West End has no other community centre, so it would be great to see the grandstand turned into a resource that local people and visitors could use.
"Maybe it could be an information centre for the West Common, which school parties could use to learn about history, archaeology and wildlife on the common."
Lib Dem councillor for Carholme Helen Heath is also in the early stages of pulling together a scheme.
She said: "I've got the bare bones of an idea at the moment."
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by An observer, South East London
Friday, August 20 2010, 10:18AM
“History teaches that man does not learn from history. In the case of historical buildings both Labour and Conservative administrations have either destroyed them or hid them away from view surrounding them with high rise buildings for the sake of modernisation.
Once gone who cares about future preservation has been the attitude of politicians and councillors for years. Both Labour and Conservative groups in Lincoln should shame themselves for allowing the Grandstand to get into the state which it is now. Applying a coat of paint and wood preservative in 2007 would have stopped some of the rot. But no, the exuse is no money available. However, one commentator mentioned about the current Conservative ruling group putting aside £100,000 for the possibilty of changing the 1985 Lincoln Commons Act which should have been spent on the Grandstand. It has also been claimed by the City of Lincoln Council that it spends £100k each year on the Grandstand and the commons (this information is available on their web site!).
As an accountant working in London, the figures do not add up. And neither did the costing of £11m for the racecourse made any sense by the LRRC.
I would suggest that the Grandstand is restored and used for it is irreplacable as once demolished and its history goes back to the 18th century, a part of history will be gone forever.
Just a few thoughts from a Londoner!!!!”
by Jim, ...
Thursday, August 19 2010, 9:27PM
“@The Insider
excellent idea !!”
by Northern Outsider, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 9:09PM
“Emma - the Labour Party had to spend so much money repairing and rebuilding the Schools and Colleges that the last Tory Government so serioulsy neglected that there was no money left to pay for an old tatty Grandstand which lets be honest, has been unused throughout several Labour and Tory Governments.
I wasn't going to bite honest....but I couldn't resisit!!”
by anon, lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 7:54PM
“I have to agree it is an eyesore,it doesn't create a very good impression for people as they drive into the city and i can't see why its listed,nasty concrete building with a corrugated iron roof,what a dump !!!! Demolish it and build a modern multi purpose building.”
by The insider, lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 7:16PM
“What about using it as an amphitheatre for either outdoor gigs or plays or both? It has enough frontage to build a stage directly in front that could be concealed from the main road if required. Underneath could be a bar and multi function venue....it kind of is already but it could do with a makeover.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Thursday, August 19 2010, 6:47PM
“Why wait dick/arkley? It already shows what the country looks like after 13 years of Labour rule, along with that broken and rusty water clock on the Brayford.”
by Jim, ...
Thursday, August 19 2010, 6:46PM
“what about some flats ....this town is in need of some more flats or even student accomodation or even more flats !?”
by dick, hartsholme
Thursday, August 19 2010, 6:26PM
“Preserve it and it will feature as a backdrop for a year 2015 documentary on the state of Britain after 5 years of tory rule.”
by arkley, hartsholme
Thursday, August 19 2010, 6:23PM
“Keep it mothballed and it will serve as a film set for a 2015 documentary recording what the UK looks like after 5 years of tory rule.”
by Hypocrates, Utopia
Thursday, August 19 2010, 5:50PM
“It should be filled and used for bonfire night. It would attract TV and lots of visitors for one night only. Hmmm... maybe the local residents would complain about that too!!”