T&A reporter JOANNE EARP tackles Superdome boss John Garside about the latest delays to the project.....

Yesterday, in a page one comment, the Telegraph & Argus asked some direct questions about the long-awaited £200 million National Superdome plan for Odsal.

We asked Superdome chief executive John Garside: "How much longer do we have to wait for real progress to be on view to the public?"

I delivered a copy of the T&A to Mr Garside yesterday. He refused to discuss it saying he was too busy but he later faxed us a press statement which we publish in full below.

I also managed to contact him by phone yesterday evening. I asked him why people should believe the project would start in mid-summer when numerous start dates had passed without progress?

He told me that he could make no assurance that the project would have a mid-summer start date. He said: "It's impossible to guarantee it. It really is very technical. Given that everything falls into place - as it appears it will - then we should be able to start in summer."

I asked him if the funding was now in place.

Mr Garside replied: "We know where the sources of money are, but we have a choice of sources. We had a slight snag in December because of something completely external to the Superdome.

"We are the only ones who are suggesting something that will be put to an exceptional use."

"You mean, if it ever comes to fruition?" I asked.

"Yes, if it ever gets off the ground," said Mr Garside.

He said people in the district were "arch cynics."

"People say that it 'will never happen', followed by 'it will never last'. In fact the very best we can hope for is 'it should've happened ages ago'," he said.

"There is nothing detrimental about the project, other than the expectancy that it was going to start sooner. I am desperately sorry if that has caused disappointment to some people."

He added that if everyone who had worked on the project so far was billed for their time and effort, the cost would be "in excess of £10 million. They are doing it for free, as I am, until it gets off the ground.

"People don't do that unless they have faith in a project."

THE SUPERDOME BOARD OF DIRECTORS' STATEMENT IN FULL:

"Great comfort is derived from the fact that the vast majority of people who genuinely hold the well-being and future prosperity of this region close to their heart, recognise that Superdome is very much worth waiting for.

That Mr Caisley seems intent on exposing himself as someone who will say anything anywhere and anytime to the detriment of Superdome is merely a minor irritant.

The facts are: It is just over three years since the legal contract with the city council was signed with us; we obtained full detailed planning permission a little over two years ago; it is less than six months since the requisite consent for the motorway access and egress was granted.

In this relatively short timescale spectacular progress has been made. In view of adverse comment in the Telegraph & Argus, we wish to categorically state that our funding arrangements continue as planned. We have not had any problems with funding banks.

Superdome is to be a world class broadcast venue, a major international convention and exhibition facility, a regional family leisure and entertainment complex containing Europe's first themed orbital shopping mall. All this and much more makes Superdome an international destination location. The completed development will represent on overall investment in the order of £500 million.

We have from the outset willingly included incomparable facilities for Bradford Bulls and for many other sports and spectaculars in addition.

Absolutely nothing prevents Mr Caisley complying with SuperLeague requirements within the terms of his licence. He either knows that or should know that.

It is most peculiar of Mr Caisley to seek every opportunity to decry Superdome when the Rugby Club stands to gain so much. After all, the team and its supporters will enjoy one of the world's finest arenas and the club only pays the same licence fee as paid for the existing facilities. This is formally agreed and Mr Caisley knows that.

As your paper states top notch backers are indeed made of sterner stuff than the criticism your paper reports. All involved in Superdome will not be deflected from delivering this most Important development as soon as practically possible.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.