Monarchs announce plans for new stadium

May 13 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

THE Scotwaste Monarchs have announced plans to build a new stadium in West Lothian which, they say, will secure the long-term future of the team.

The new site at South Couston Farm in Bathgate, a mile-and-a-half from their current Armadale home, will also allow the speedway team to launch a Scottish youth training and development programme.

Since 1997 the Monarchs have called Armadale Stadium home – but the site is subject to a planning application by Sainsburys.

Last April, the company submitted a planning application to West Lothian Council to develop a 40,000 sq ft foodstore at the stadium, which they say will mean a £23 million investment in the town.

However, the supermarket giants have agreed a “substantial” six-figure package to assist in locating, securing land and building a new national standard stadium.

But the Monarchs will only secure a long lease at the site at South Couston Farm if the proposed Sainsbury’s store in Armadale is approved.

The plans for the new stadium will provide a grandstand with 500 seats and cover for a further 1000 standing spectators. It will have parking provision for 900 cars, and will boast catering and hospitality facilities, ensuring the Monarchs can stage worldwide events in their new Scottish stadium.

Club chairman Alex Harkness said: “The Monarchs are extremely happy that they will be staying in West Lothian. We have been aware for some time that our long term future does not lie at Armadale Stadium.

“For us it has been a happy stadium. Our two British League championship wins have taken place here. We are sorry to be leaving but the stadium is 60 years old and it is showing its age. Times move on and we have to move on with them.

“The current Speedway facilities are degraded to such an extent that the site is becoming unfit for purpose. Our new stadium will hopefully be a pleasure for everyone. We have never had our own stadium before. Over the years, we have been shunted about all over the place, and never known what the future holds. The other directors and I are at retiral age and this would leave a legacy we can be proud of.”

Restrictions at their current home in Armadale mean the Monarchs can only race on a Friday night and have no facilities to train young local talent. The Youth Development Academy planned at the new stadium will allow Scotland to train Speedway riders to an international standard. The 14-acre site will allow for a separate training track and facilities which would form the only Speedway development provisions north of Scunthorpe.

Currently only one member of the Monarchs squad is Scottish — Bathgate’s Andrew Tully — and the rest of the riders are flown in from across Europe for race night. The club hope the new academy will see more young Scottish talent come through and boost the club’s finances by saving on flights and accomodation for overseas riders.

“Andrew is our last Scottish rider from when we last had training facilities,” Alex said. “For the sport to survive, we need our own riding talent coming through and the only way for that to happened is to give them the proper facilities.

“It would be great for the club to have seven Scottish riders turning out for us. The most we have ever had at one time since we were formed in 1947 has been five Scots.”

The Monarchs are planning to hold a public exhibition detailing their plans in Armadale within the next two weeks.

Dougal Hartley, development surveyor for Sainsbury’s in Scotland stated: “Our next step is to speak to the local people of Armadale and West Lothian to discuss our planning application. We are inviting all interested parties to come along to a public exhibition.”

Provost Tom Kerr said he was glad to see the Monarchs stay in the county. He added: “From a West Lothian point of view, I am just delighted the Monarchs have managed to secure an alternative site in the area. We try to keep as many sports and activities going on in our area as we possibly can and from that point of view I am happy they are staying here. I wish the speedway team every success in the future.”