 However, the controversy was short-lived with residents, sports professional and amateurs alike enthralled with the quality of the facilities.Throughout the 80's, owing to the economic climate, state funds were not readily available for work on the second phase of the project.In addition, residents, politicians and planners had expressed a desire for amendments to the plans to be made to permit the indoor athletics arena to be utilised not only as a sporting arena, but a cultural venue as well.