SHOCKING pictures of Coventry Stadium have emerged after workmen left the motorsport facility looking like ‘vandals had trashed the place’.
An Observer source, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke this afternoon to describe the current scene at the stadium after concern was raised among fans last Friday when pictures were posted to social media of the stadium with floodlights missing.
Our source said workmen were removing seats from the main grandstand all afternoon before collapsing them so they could not be used again.
In addition to the seats being removed, workmen also cleared shale from the track, took away the barrier separating the speedway track from the un-used greyhound track, removed the safety airfence and broke electrical wiring.
The VIP suites, bar area and restaurant have also been reduced to a sorry state.
The twist comes just days after Coventry Bees completed its line-up for the 2017 season – announcing Jason Garrity, James Sarjeant and Lewis Kerr as team members.
Our source said: “What shocked me most is the general state of the place, you can’t tell where the speedway track ends and the dog track starts.
“It’s just merged into one big track as the safety barrier has been ripped out.
“The lights have gone, the seating has gone, the kitchen is ruined and it looks like someone’s hacked away at the ceiling with a crowbar.
“I was walking through the VIP suit through to the restaurant and all of the electric wires have been ripped out.
“It’s like vandals have trashed the place.
“Anything related to the stadium is being put into a big pile down the walkway opposite to the pits.
“The referee’s box is trashed too, wires and cables are all ripped apart – it’s one big mess.”
With the current state of the stadium, our source made it clear there was no chance racing could take place at the stadium in the condition it is currently in.
They also added that if work doesn’t start on the stadium before mid-January, they cannot see racing taking place at the stadium next year.
They continued: “The job of bringing the stadium back to where it was is massive and if nothing starts in the next six weeks there’s no chance racing will take place next year.
“The track has to be re-laid and settled, the electrics will have to be reworked and then you have the lighting too.
“This is all being said without knowing if any damage has been done underground.
“I was shocked to see workers removing seats from the grandstand and smashing them in half when there wasn’t a problem with them.
“The level of destruction is beyond belief, in my opinion there’s no need for it to be done.
“I’ve been going to Brandon for as long as I can remember, I know times change but it’s a sorry state right now.”
Despite the level of destruction, Bees promoter Mick Horton – who is currently on holiday in America – told fans earlier today he remains 100 per cent committed to the Bees racing at Brandon in 2017.
He added: “I need to see the damage first-hand before further decisions can be made.
“I wish to thank all speedway and stock car fans for their continued support, and I can confirm speedway still holds the lease for next year.”
