Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium was developed in its current form for the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

It is the only centrally-located, multi-purpose sports facility in the city and despite the growing need for renovation, it remains a much-loved resource with a diverse range of users from across the community.

Edinburgh City Council are now drawing up plans to sell a third of the existing site for flats in order to fund demolition and redevelopment of what's left.

The proposed new centre will offer only a fraction of current facilities. The velodrome, indoor running track, and gymnasium will all disappear, and the bulk of demand for space will have to be satisfied by one large mixed-use hall, amounting to far less floor area than currently available.

In effect, the essence of Meadowbank and its unique provision of sport and leisure to the people of central Edinburgh will be lost forever.