Plans for the major redevelopment of a sports stadium in Douglas, Isle of Man, have been put on hold by the local authority due to the economic downturn.

Douglas Borough Council (DBC) is behind the £2.5m revamp of the King George V Bowl ahead of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, but it has been unable to find the private and public funding needed to pay for the scheme. The council has said, however, that it will still go ahead with a ground survey at the stadium in order to assess future improvements to the pitch before remedial works will be considered.

DBC leader, David Christian, said: "Early last year I spoke of my hopes that with the support from the private and public sector, the Bowl could become a national stadium for the Isle of Man. "For those proposals to become a reality and a flagship sports facility created, the project was going to cost in the region of at least £2.5m – a figure that was only ever going to be achievable were we able to secure significant private and public investment.

"Regrettably, given the current economic climate, there can be no such lasting legacy for the people of Douglas and the Isle of Man."