Farewell to a legendlnhght en ertalnment PAGE 12
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Council deal could save troubled Adventure Centre from closure. rear. Allan Radcliffe
he future of the beleaguered Ratho .-\d\euture Centre is starting to look brighter. following a cnleial meeting with lidinburgh Cit} (‘onncil \\'ith
the council approving the centre's proposed expenditure of
£l40.000 on due diligence. the world class tacilit) is a step closer to being bought outright by the local authorit} and thus being saved from closure.
The centre. which opened in December 2003. is the biggest indoor public space in the east of Scotland and is home to the largest climbing arena in the world. \\'lllle Ratho has hosted four climbing world championships and features state of the art facilities and accommodation. it has had more than its share of teething problems.
Ratho opened before building work which cost £25m was completed. and still had around £2.5m worth of work outstanding. It went into receivership in March 2004.
The council has now been given the option to bu} Ratho
for around t'5ln. and is also said to be exploring the possllrilitj. ot a ioillt \cntlll‘e with pl'i\atc sector imestors. l.ast weele decision allows an assessment of the eolllpletioll \ osts and all o\.elall \alllation of the centre.
\\'hi|e the required illlproxenlellts come at a cost. the long term lrellelits of an illlpl’o\ ed Ratho (‘entle would he illlllleaslllallle. It is hoped that the centre will become the locus fora leel‘cationzll eonntr) park. with facilities for cyling. di\ ing. sailing and other waterspol'ts.
Although a lillal eollneil decision w ill not take place until August. there ha\ e been optimistic rumblings. ('ouneil leatlel' Donald .-\ndel'son said: '.'\n_\one Who has seen the Ratho (‘enlle would agree it has potential to deli\er enol'rllolls benefits to the cit) and to Scotland. We’re detellllilled to secure its future and are hopeful w e have the basis for a deal that will secure this fabulous centre for the lollglel tel‘nl ‘ \\';lteh this space.
POWELL RETROSPECTIVE FOR FILM FEST
I Although the Edinburgh International Film Festival programme won’t be unveiled until 14 July, The list has kept an ear pressed to the door of its organisers' headquarters and can reveal some choice nuggets. Scottish interest at the 59th festival is served by Slrndance success On a Clear Day, starring Peter Multan as a man who decides to swim the English channel. Another British highlight, Rag Tale, is a pastiche of our beloved tabloid culture, and features Malcolm McDowell and Rupert Graves. Meanwhile, US writer/director James Toback brings his typically dark view of sexual politics to bear in revenge thriller When Will I Be Loved. The highlight for film buffs is a Michael Powell retrospective, featuring screenings of such classics as Peeping Tom (pictured) and a ‘Reet life‘ event featuring Thelma Schoonmaker, Martin Scorsese’s editor and Powell’s last wife. www.edfilmfest.org.uk (AR)
I It was Th List wot did it! Following our reader campaign in conjunction with Friends of the Earth Scotland and World Wildlife Fund Scotland, first minister Jack McConnell has pledged that Scotland will adopt targets for cutting climate change emissions. But his admittance that ‘we are now establishing exactly what these targets will be’ is feeble. While we welcome his change of heart, we concur with Green MSP Mark Ruskell’s view that ‘Now is the time to go the extra mile.’ We urge readers to keep up the pressure on ministers to set a target of 12.5% reduction on greenhouse gas emissions by 2010. And keep bounding the council to increase its recyling facilities while you’re at it.
I A new poll has revealed that most Scots supper! the Executlve's proposed ban on sllloklng ln publlc places A Market Research UK poll found that 50%:- of people supported the prOposais on health grounds and in the interests of cleaner. safer enVlronlnellts; 33% did not Support the proposed legislation. and 26% of smokers felt lt woold help tllel'n to reduce their tobacco intake.
I Glasgow School of Art has won a Stage One pass for a £4,466,000 grant and a £153,000 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will help refurbish its legendary Mackintosh Building (pictured) and create a research centre, while conserving historic collections such as the Mackintosh furniture.
' THE LIST 9