“The real cost of hosting World Student Games”

Peter Price has, over the years, defended the Labour council’s decision to bring the World Student Games to the city of Sheffield in 1991. Of course, he was a member of that council which took that step and it has been the subject of fierce debate in the intervening years.

However, he states in his latest correspondence that the debt was covered by reserves in 1993, this is plainly not the case.

In 2011, the debt of these games was £658 million, four times the original estimate, and it was revealed that the council will continue to repay £25m per year until 2024.

The outstanding liability in March 2016 was £114.7m.

Of course, it is a reasonable argument to list the facilities the city gained from this massive expenditure, although the Don Valley stadium is now gone.

It is for the people of Sheffield to decide whether or not this was money well spent, or could it have been put to better use.

I personally think it was a folly at a cost which spiralled out of control and for what?

Who is interested in the World Student games?

Coun Price has a right to defend his position, but let’s stick to the facts.