Broad Lane Dispute Settled
Some more good news coming out of Broad Lane, with The Gazette reporting that the spot of little local difficulty between the Dragons and the Wivenhoe and District Sporting Facilities Trust has been settled:
“An ongoing dispute which threatened the future of a popular football club has finally been resolved. The battle between Wivenhoe Football Club and WDSFT, which owns the club’s base in Broad Lane, Wivenhoe, was halted during a dispute resolution hearing.”
The fallout between club and the Trust dates back to earlier this year, with the gates to Broad Lane being locked over allegations of £10,000 in rent arrears. The Dragons filed a court injunction, seeking to re-open Broad Lane.
Exact details remain confidential, due to “legal reasons.” My understanding is that a good old-fashioned banging of together of heads (not literally, you understand) has finally seen sense.
The wider future of Broad Lane as a community sport and social base is up for grabs. It has been imperative that the football club and the Trust resolve the dispute, if the mystery Mr X is to step forward with his investment for the Broad Lane Future project.
The Gazette adds:
“The site is now set to be transformed into a community facility, to include a pool, gym and allotments, after an anonymous resident stepped forward to fund the project.”
A swimming pool is certainly ambitious, although sadly this has yet to be confirmed…
“The secret millionaire, who does not want to be identified, has offered to partly-fund a £1.4million sports, leisure and community facility alongside the football ground. He lives locally and wants to leave a legacy for the town.”
Looks like a legacy of sorts has already been left, with common sense between the Dragons and the Trust coming first.
Don’t forget that you can put forward your views on the proposed Broad Lane redevelopment over at broadlanefuture.com. For Mr X to continue his involvement, then some form of evidence needs to be seen that the wider Wivenhoe community supports the project. Another public meeting about the project is planned before Christmas.
A good starting point would be to head to Broad Lane this Saturday and support the first team at home to Ely City. A win for the Dragons would lift them of of mid-table. Kick off is at 3pm.
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