Your say / Arts
‘Arena vitally important for Bristol’s prosperity’
Bristol Arena was scheduled to open in the summer of 2018, but I am not too surprised by the suggestion that the opening is now projected for 2019 as there was bound to be a certain loss of momentum with the review of priorities and management that we have seen since the election.
There is an excellent project management team in place but a major project like this needs constant challenging and a refusal to accept unnecessary delay.
This is not a political matter but a vitally important one for Bristol’s prosperity and cultural vitality, and in that Marvin Rees and I are as one.
is needed now More than ever
I remain confident that the Arena will be delivered.
It was a manifesto promise by Marvin in both the 2012 and 2016 elections and it’s most reassuring that he has given the cabinet portfolio to Helen Holland who has greater experience of these things than any other member of Council.
I had originally planned for the arena to open in 2017 to coincide with electrification of the London to Bristol railway and the completion of the Metrobus project.
We just have to adjust our minds to 2019 being the new 2017!
George Ferguson was mayor of Bristol from 2012 to 2016
Read more: Bristol Arena delayed – again
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