This information-gathering is taking place now in the form of a questionnaire – also by house-to-house surveys in Bath and telephone surveys. To date we understand that only 200 questionnaires have been received, perhaps because the questionnaire does look somewhat daunting at first sight.

We really need your support if we are to have any chance of developing our part of the Rec and would urge all our supporters to complete the questionnaire – and indeed ask their work colleagues, family and friends to do the same.

The questionnaire can be completed on-line using the following link:
http://www.recreationgroundtrust.org.uk/bath_rec_questionnaire_page(4).htm.

The deadline for questionnaires to be submitted is Monday 15th January – so do not delay, complete it today!

We think that Option 2 is the only viable option if we are to keep Bath Rugby playing at the Rec. This Option has the following advantages:

- Keeps Bath Rugby at the Rec with a new 15,000 capacity arena built on predominantly the same footprint as the current rugby ground.

- Delivers a new arena which would serve sports and events on the Rec without dominating the Recreation Ground

- Is affordable – the arena would be funded by the club with no financial contribution required from the council

- Is deliverable within the two/three-year timescale required

- The new arena would enhance the Rec – existing buildings are an eyesore and any new development would be sympathetic and of course subject to planning approval.

- There are two other Options offered in the questionnaire.

Option 1 – where Bath Rugby must move from the Rec and the Sports Centre is demolished:

- No place for Bath Rugby at the Rec – and with no other site available in Bath would mean moving from the City. Unthinkable!
- Very costly – and at the local taxpayers’ expense
- Negative impact on local businesses – many of whom greatly benefit from the rugby club being in the City.
- Dramatic reduction in revenue for the Recreation Ground Trust – as bath Rugby are the main tenant

Option 3 – where the Sports Centre and the Pavilion are demolished and a new arena and sports centre built adjacent to North Parade:

- Potentially a magnificent development – but cost probably at least double Option Two.
- Where is the funding to come from? We have been officially told it is highly unlikely that the council will be in a position to contribute to any development.
- Even if funding could be secured would take too long – 10, 20 years?
- Very ambitious and complex – we fear it is pie in the sky!

IN SUMMARY - Bath Rugby support Option Two as being the most realistic and deliverable option in terms of time and money that will keep Bath Rugby at the Rec. Option Three looks attractive but without (public) funding it is simply unrealistic. It is also a far more complex proposal with greater legal issues to overcome - it could never be delivered in the timescales required.

Thank you for your support.