EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN
THE POSSIBILITY of Edinburgh Rugby remaining at Murrayfield, but in a specially adapted stadium, has been endorsed by SRU boss, Gordon McKie.

The chief executive confirmed yesterday that talks with former internationalist and Dunfermline-based architect Ken Oliver had now reached a critical stage concerning plans to introduce temporary stands situated along the existing running track.

These seats - around 4000 could be purchased - in conjunction with the screening of the upper stand decks would help ensure the stadium was reduced in size by also using screening of the upper stand decks and prevent the SRU having to lay out cash in preparing one of four club grounds currently under consideration at Meggetland, Myreside, Inverleith and Goldenacre. It is anticipated an arena seating 20,000 could be created with advance estimates suggesting costs of around £500,000.

Furthermore, the Gunners would also benefit from having a home of their own independent from any traditional club.

McKie, pictired below, who has ruled out a move for the Gunners to Tynecastle or Easter Road, said: \"Ken Oliver\'s proposal is being reviewed by our stadium manager, Mark Laidlaw, who has had discussions with him.

\"Costing and quotations are imminent and then we will be able to proceed further.\"

Mr Oliver, capped out of Gala against Australia in 1970, welcomed official interest in his plan, saying: \"I hope to have prices by the end of this month but other factors will require to be taken into account.

\"For example, would the temporary seating require a roof - and would it include facilities for disabled fans or would they be accommodated in the East Stand?

\"Regarding costs I would hope that the business community might assist by underwriting the cost of providing the seating. Benefactors would then be at liberty to hire out the seating during rugby\'s close season and overall Edinburgh Rugby could benefit from playing at a ground where there is potential to grow the crowd because any club alternative would be filled by the maximum numbers, around 4000, who follow Gunners at the moment.

\"With a more atmospheric ground I\'m convinced the followers of Edinburgh Rugby would grow because the potential is definitely there.\"

Mr McKie refused to rule out the idea of a smaller arena helping attract other usage including from Hearts when Tynecastle is redeveloped. \"There might be scope for involving Hearts in a project of this type but at the moment we are waiting to hear what the football club might be doing,\" said McKie.

\"One primary target is to increase the use of Murrayfield for pop concerts. This year there will be four such events at Hampden Park while we have none.\"

Bert Lawson, chair of Edinburgh Rugby Supporters\' Club, welcomed the Oliver plan.

He said: \"It is encouraging that Gordon McKie appears to be giving qualified support to proposals that can help provide the right type of stadium for the Gunners.

\"If the venue is appropriate then that will go a long way towards helping the team achieve success.

\"By ensuring supporters are seated close up to the pitch there is a better chance of condensing the type of atmosphere evident in Scotland\'s wins over France and England this season and what a benefit that would be to the Edinburgh team.

\"There is no doubt Murrayfield is our supporters\' organisations favoured option and plans like Ken Oliver\'s seem to take that forward as we would continue to benefit from the best of facilities while watching from close to the pitch.\"

NOTE FROM ED Ken Oliver was not abad athlete winning the Scottish Schools 880yds title in the early 1960s

This article was posted on 15-Mar-2006, 13:43 by Hugh Barrow.