Islington Tribune - News: Arsenal sports centre protest

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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 16 May 2008

Sports centre campaigners outside the town hall

Arsenal sports centre protest

CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a new sports centre in Highbury as part of the Arsenal stadium development lobbied the Town Hall on Tuesday.
Led by Ian Shacklock, they delivered a petition calling on council chiefs to honour a pledge to replace the former JVC sports centre in Queensland Road.
Arsenal has paid £1.8 million to the Town Hall for new community sports facilities. The money will be used to refurbish Sobell Centre in Holloway.
But Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn opposes this use of the cash. He said: “The issue here, and the reason why the petition was organised, is the failure of the council to enforce the original agreement that the JVC Centre should be replaced.
“The sports centre at the old Highbury ground was a popular and much-loved place, where thousands of youngsters enjoyed playing football in the shadow of the home of their favourite football team. When the Emirates Stadium was planned there was a very clear agreement that there would be a replacement sports centre at the new ground.”
Mr Shacklock said: “The petition has raised widespread awareness of the sports centre issue.”

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