Have your stake in the future (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Have your stake in the future

8:56am Friday 23rd November 2007 in Our View By Telegraph & Argus

Although the Big Lottery Fund bosses have chosen not to finance Bradford's Park at the Heart despite a first-class presentation in support of it, this is too good a scheme, and too important to the future of the city, to be allowed to die. It is one of the two key regeneration projects that Bradford needs.

The setback to it comes at a time when the staff canteen has been installed at the Broadway site, an encouraging sign that work is due to start there before long. Now, with the launch of a foundation to raise money within Bradford for the Park at the Heart, local people have an opportunity to turn that scheme into a reality as well.

The citizens of Bradford have made it plain that this unique open space alongside Centenary Square is something they want, and soon they will have a chance to contribute towards it by committing themselves to regular contributions to the fund-raising foundation in exchange for their name on a plaque for posterity.

A lot of people chipping in a small amount regularly can soon add up to a lot. The target is £3 million, with Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and English Partnerships looking at ways of raising £22 million. If a quarter of a million Bradfordians each donate a pound a month, the target will soon be reached and in years to come they will be able to point to their names on that plaque and tell their grandchildren: "I helped to build this park for Bradford."