Council to decide fate of £44m York Community Stadium

The City of York Council are set to meet next week and decide the fate of the £44m York Community Stadium.

Following a report published regarding the finances of the development, the council’s executive committee will be asked to approve a further £7.2m to fund the increase in capital costs.

But if council members decide against the recommended fund, there will be an abortive cost charge of £4.2m and the scheme would be pushed back several years.

The new Stadium Leisure Complex will comprise an 8,000 all-seat community sports stadium to host professional football and rugby league games, a new leisure and sports centre including a 25m swimming pool, teaching pool, leisure fun pool, competition standard sports hall, extreme Clip ‘n’ Climb play centre, outdoor high ropes climbing facility and 3G astroturf sports pitches.

The scheme has already delivered a new £2m athletics track in partnership with the University of York, which will be officially opened by Dame Kelly Holmes next month.

In addition to the leisure facilities, the scheme will also deliver a state-of-the-art 13 screen Multiplex Cinema, five restaurants, three retail units and the city’s first digital IMAX screen.

The overall cost of the Community Stadium has risen to £44.2m. This increase is due to construction inflationary pressures and slippage in the overall timetable.

The decision will be made during an executive meeting held on March 17th, followed by a full council meeting on March 24th. If the rise in funds is given the go ahead, the council will increase borrowing by £5.4m.

The report urges council members to approve the plans as it forecasts that the council would receive £250k per annum in additional business rates over a 13-year period.

The construction of the Community Stadium is expected to completed by Winter 2017 and that the facilities will be operational by early 2018. If approved, both York City Knights RLFC and York City Football Club will be playing at the new stadium for the 2018/19 seasons.

Cllr Chris Steward, Leader of City of York Council, said: “We have made clear we are fully committed to delivering the Community Stadium and Leisure Facility project. In 2015 significant budget overruns emerged and officers have worked hard to address these.

“Through these proposals we anticipate the site will be completed by Winter 2017, which will provide a wide-range of significant benefits for the city, including for the city’s football and rugby league teams.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →