9:10am Tuesday 9th February 2010
York City would welcome the redevelopment of Bootham Crescent as an alternative to moving into a new stadium.
The Minstermen have reiterated that their “preferred option” remains relocating to a community arena on another site.
But, with City of York Council currently exploring whether any new facility could yet be based at either the football club’s current home or Huntington Stadium, community and communications director Sophie Hicks has, for the first time, admitted staying put might be a viable option.
The Press understands that should such a redevelopment come under consideration, then approaches might be made to acquire land behind the Popular Stand, currently owned by the Ministry of Defence.
Speaking in response to a report by community stadium project manager Tim Atkins, which will be presented to the council shortly, Hicks said: “As an alternative to the sports village concept, which is our preferred option, York City Football Club would actively encourage the expansion and development of Bootham Crescent to provide a modern 21st-century, income-generating facility, providing sustainability and longevity for professional football and rugby league in York.
“We are also committed to ensuring the athletes have a sustainable facility at an alternative venue to Bootham Crescent to fulfil their needs and aspirations.”
With land at York Central, Nestlé and Bustardthorpe all having emerged as preferred locations for a new sports stadium in the past before encountering stumbling blocks, The Press understands the University of York has now emerged as a leading, front-runner in the council’s search for a suitable site.
Hicks, meanwhile, added City would oppose any move to build a new arena at Huntington Stadium, where York City Knights rugby league club and City of York Athletics Club are based.
She said: “As a major funding contributor to the project, we would not support a move to Huntington Stadium. This is not an acceptable home for York City FC due to the running track within the stadium and the major traffic issues the site presents.
“Also, on Friday November 21, 2003, representatives from the Football Foundation, including Sir David Richards, visited the site, along with members of York City FC and the City of York Council. The Football Foundation categorically stated they would not support a grant application for £2 million for the refurbishment of Huntington Stadium, which would mean we would lose a significant portion of our available funding.”
Atkins. council report expressed concerns in The Press that funding from the likes of Yorkshire Forward, Sport England, as well as national and European sports’ governing bodies, might not become available in the time framework desired by the football club.
About the council’s financial worries, Hicks added: “We fully support the sports village concept which is being presented to the council executive by Tim Atkins. We appreciate the current tough financial climate, but we do believe the project is viable and the stadium options we have seen so far do not impact on the York taxpayer.
“We hope the Council is ambitious and forward thinking enough to pursue this vision for sport in the City of York for the benefit of the local community.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk