YORK’S athletics chief has warned the sport’s future in the city could be threatened within two years if wrangles over the community stadium scheme are not resolved.

City of York Athletics Club is earmarked for a move to purpose-built facilities at the new Sports Village on Hull Road under proposals to create a new home for the city’s football and rugby league clubs at Monks Cross.

The plans would see Huntington Stadium, which currently houses York City Knights and the athletics club, being demolished and rebuilt after the site was chosen as City of York Council’s preferred option.

But the Knights last week reiterated their concerns about the scheme and said a ground-share between themselves and York City FC should be abandoned, with Huntington Stadium instead being upgraded.

Athletics club chairman Neil Hunter fears the sport could be “a casualty” of the situation.

He said: “If this barrier is not removed, it will leave us in limbo because I don’t believe there is a plan B. We absolutely believe in the process the council is following and moving to the Sports Village is an exciting opportunity. The requirements of a modern sports stadium don’t include an athletics track and I don’t believe anybody would want to invest in refurbishing Huntington Stadium with a track being included.

“The situation makes it difficult for us to plan financially and our concern is that if we miss this opportunity, we will be left high and dry within a couple of years. We do fear for the future of the club if that happens.

“The club has 600 active members and athletics is not a sport which can just go anywhere – it needs a track. The Sports Village would create community facilities and supports the 2012 Olympics ideal of inspiring a new generation of people to become involved in sport.

“We now hope a planning application outlining what is going to be done will be submitted as quickly as possible to provide everybody with clarity and certainty.”

York City have also said their future will be in doubt without a new stadium, but Knights’ executive chairman claimed a ground-share was “not a workable option” and delays in the scheme were harming his club’s prospects.

A planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of this month.