Are multi-use stadiums the new best investment?
| Grimsby Town have played their home games in neighbouring Cleethorpes since the 19th century but now they may finally be coming home. |
Plans for a new community football stadium in Grimsby have moved one step closer after a deal was agreed between sports and leisure property developers Extreme and the football club.
The new stadium and leisure development would be at Peaks Parkway in Grimsby and would cost around £55 million. Grimsby Town have played at Blundell Park in Cleethorpes since 1899. However, due to a lack of corporate facilities, amenities for fans and distance from public transport the ground’s use is limited to football and opportunities to generate extra income are limited.
The new proposals being considered include a state-of-the-art 14,000 capacity football stadium, a new ice rink facility, additional sports and leisure facilities,retail and food and beverage offers.
This would also bring around 320 full-time jobs to the area.
Grimsby Town director John Fenty said: “We are delighted that Peaks Parkway has now been chosen as the reference site for this very exciting development.”
Alistair Gosling, Chairman at Extreme, said: “We are very excited to be working on this sport & leisure development and the opportunity to create a fantastic new stadium and sports destination.
Councillor Ray Oxby, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said the announcement of Extreme’s interest in the community stadium proposal was further evidence of the private sector’s confidence to support business in the area.
He said: “We’ve made it clear from the start that where there’s the potential for public assets and resources to be involved, we must follow a strict and proper process to make sure we get the right result for the whole area.”
Extreme will now work on public consultation events before submitting a formal planning application to the council.
