BOSSES at the city council have issued warnings about the future of the community stadium and York City FC if new plans are not backed by councillors.

Senior council officials have warned leader James Alexander and chief executive Kersten England that if they cannot secure the extra £4 million in council money for a new swimming pool on the site, the whole project could collapse, leaving York City homeless and the scheme likely to fail.

In a briefing paper seen by The Press, community stadium project manager Tim Atkins warns that the extra £4 million needed to replace Waterworld and act as an anchor for the rest of the facilities is "inextricably" linked to the rest of the scheme.

He added: "Therefore, £4 million cannot be simply removed from the proposals, without a fundamental negative impact on the viability of the scheme.

"This would undermine the delivery of the additional commercial and leisure offer that would bring in additional growth, jobs and a direct financial benefit to the council of c. £400,000 per annum through new business rates."

It will take a full meeting of the council to approve the £4 million funding, but since the ruling Labour group lost its overall control of the council, a risk has arisen that Lib Dem, Conservative, Green and independent councillors could vote together to block it.

Mr Atkins goes on to say that holding back the cash would seriously delay or end the project to get a new stadium, would leave Waterworld without an operator after the current deal ends later this year, and would cost the council hundreds of thousands of pounds keeping Yearsley Pool and Energise open.

The briefing also reveals that an option to develop a new leisure scheme at Yearsley Pool was considered, but question marks hung over its long-term viability.

This evening the deal will be examined at a committee meeting after three Lib Dem councillors issued a "call-in" over the lack of a proper published business plan for the scheme, worries about the future of Yearsley Pool and the impact of the out-of-town development on the city centre.

Council leader James Alexander is due to speak, and will urge members of the committee to support the plans.

Last weekend, York City's chairman Jason McGill issued a similar warning to fans and urged them to turn up at crucial council meetings to show their support for the scheme.