PRESERVE IT, FOR OUR RESERVE TEAM

Last updated : 29 November 2002 By Editor
From the MEN:

People living in the shadow of Maine Road told the council yesterday what they wanted to happen when Manchester City move out next year.

At an open day held at Platt Lane training complex, in Moss Side, some residents said they wanted to see the football stadium converted into a council-run leisure facility.

Others said it should be demolished to make way for private housing.

The Maine Road Residents Action Group - which includes the Avenues,
Triangle, Platt Lane, Great Western Street, Thornton Road, Wilbraham and South Rusholme Committees - joined forces to send out a questionnaire to people living and working in the area.

One member of Great Western Street Residents' Association, who did not wish to be named, said: "We need more facilities for young people. I think it would be great if Sale Sharks came to Maine Road because then we could develop a local youth programme with them.''

Lifelong City fan Joanne Martin said: "Rugby doesn't have a large following and it would be difficult to get the same capacity in Maine Road as you do when there is a football match on."

Her husband Ged said: "There should be some shopping facilities here for local people. I think if there was a supermarket such as Asda or Tesco then locals would welcome it."

Residents have been asked to choose between housing, retail, leisure, youth facilities or all of those within a general regeneration package.
Mum Michele Registe thinks that Maine Road should be converted into a sports college.

She said: "Maine Road has a lot of potential. I think it should be used as a college to treat sports injuries.

"There's nowhere like that in Manchester. I also think there should be some room for private housing to bring new people into the area.''

There are two more meetings for people to air their views. One is being held tomorrow at St James' Pastoral Centre in Princess Road. The second meeting will take place on Tuesday December 3 at St Edward's School, on Yew Tree Road.

What would you like to see happen to Maine Road?

Certain RI contributors believe it should be turned into a football ground so United's reserves can have somewhere to play instead of trekking to Bury/Altrincham. It would also give the locals something worth watching after all these years.