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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 20 June 2008

Blow to Emirates sports centre

Arsenal pledges £1.8m to sports in the borough but campaigners aren’t happy

ARSENAL may have finally closed the door to the proposal for a community sports centre at the Emirates stadium.
A new planning consultation for part of the site due to be developed in Queensland Road makes it clear that a centre for local children is not an option.
The news, while not a complete surprise, was none the less disappointing for the residents who have been campaigning for the youth facility.
The campaign has been co-ordinated by Highbury parent Ian Shacklock, with support from TV personality Clive Anderson, Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson, and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, who live in the borough, and who have added their names to a petition with more than 3,000 names.
An Emirates Youth Centre, which was originally promised when the club first proposed plans for a new stadium four years ago, and would have replaced the one at the old Highbury ground.
But Arsenal argue that the old Highbury sports hall was “not a community sports centre, but a private facility into which local community groups were welcomed when it was not required for the club’s own activities”.
The statement in the planning document says that after “consultation with Islington Council, the proposed space for a sports hall was re-allocated to build affordable housing as this was seen as more beneficial to the local community”.
Arsenal go on to say they understand the desire among the community for a sports programme, adding: “The club has therefore contributed £1.8million to Islington council to improve existing sports centres as well as expanding their own community programme.”
Mr Shacklock said he was a big fan of the club – the third richest in the world – but added he felt that it owed something more to the borough.
He said: “Everyone wants this centre so we must fight on. There’s been huge disruption for residents near Ashburton Grove, and Arsenal is building private flats and possibly a cinema. And as we know not everyone can afford to see Arsenal play these days.
“A community football centre would be giving something back and there’s a tremendous need for facilities for young people today.”
Labour opposition leader Councillor Catherine West said she was very disappointed and hoped the campaign would continue.
“There is no earthly reason why we can’t have this Emirates youth centre,” she said.
Green councillor Katie Dawson said that Highbury West police said at a recent meeting that such a facility would be extremely useful.
“The police urged everyone to sign the petition because a sports centre at the Emirates would be a useful tool in dealing with anti-social behaviour,” she said.
“It would give the kids somewhere to go that is associated with one of the most famous football clubs in the world. I don’t care whether the old Highbury stadium centre was private.
“All the kids liked to go there and enjoyed the feeling of being part of the great football club.”

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