Wakefield reveal new stadium plans
Local trust chairman Sir Rodney Walker has revealed plans for a new Community Stadium in Wakefield.
The stadium forms part of a much bigger development which is taking place at Newmarket, situated at Junction 30 of the M62. The planning application for the proposed new stadium which will be the home of the engage Super League club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats is being submitted this week.
Colin Mackie, Managing Director of Yorkcourt Properties Ltd, the developers of the scheme says: “We are very pleased to be involved in this exciting project.
“The scheme represents the result of close co-operation between various sectors which, if approved, will provide fantastic new facilities for the whole community. We have been in the Wakefield area for over 20 years and we are committed to making a difference. Due in no small part to the enthusiasm of all the parties involved, we are lodging this Planning Application with great expectation and we aim to utilise all the resources and energy we can generate to make Newmarket a reality.”
The proposed Community Stadium will have a 12,000 capacity but incorporated into the design it will have the flexibility to increase to a 15,000 capacity at a later stage and will, in addition also have ancillary facilities including 3G facilities and other pitches.
Chairman of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Ted Richardson said: “We were asked by the Wakefield & District Community Trust to come forward with offers of interest and are delighted to confirm that we will be an anchor tenant in the Community Stadium. This is excellent news for the Club and these plans will obviously form part of our Super League Franchise Application for 2012 and beyond.
“Whilst we will be saddened to be leaving Belle Vue, which has been our ancestral home for over 100 years, the new stadium will offer state-of-the-art facilities for our supporters and I hope will become a lasting legacy for this great club and, once delivered, I hope it will provide a facility that everyone within the City of Wakefield can be proud of.”
Sir Rodney Walker said: “Today sees the culmination of many months of work, which we are proud to have carried out in collaboration with Wakefield Council and Yorkcourt Properties. Today is a significant milestone in delivering our plans for the new stadium.
“There is still a lot of work to do but we are delighted to have progressed so far and hope this will result in the Wildcats playing their first game in the new stadium in 2012.
“I would like to place on record my thanks to my fellow committee members David Hinchliffe, former MP for Wakefield, and Sir Bryan Nicholson, president of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
“The early commitment from the Wildcats to support this scheme, combined with encouragement from a wide range of people and organisations from throughout the District have provided the impetus which has made today’s announcement possible.”