Grimsby Town has moved a step closer to starting work on a new stadium after the English League Two fourth-tier football club struck a partnership with sports and leisure property developer Extreme Leisure.
The deal relates to the ‘New Stadium and Leisure Development’ project, which is set to be carried out in the Peaks Parkway area of the town.
The current facility mix for the initiative includes a 14,000-seat football stadium, as well as a new ice rink, additional sports and leisure facilities, and retail, food and beverage units. The project is expected to cost over £55m (€65.4m/$73.6m).
Project bosses said the new development features an element of affordable residential in order to ensure viability and the least cost impact on the local area. Extreme said it has also secured full funding for 50 per cent of the project with a national leisure operator.
The football club will now work on a pre-app consultation and formal planning application, which will be submitted to the council for consideration. A series of other consultations will also have to take place before the development project can secure final approval.
“They say that good things come to those who wait, and we’ve waited so we are looking forward to the day when the ground is broken,” Grimsby Town director John Fenty said. “Importantly during the evolution of the scheme there will a number of further consultations in addition to those which have already been undertaken.”
Councillor Ray Oxby, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, added: “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.
“However not withstanding that, and while developing any detailed proposals are a matter for the company and the club to pursue, news that a leisure industry leader is now actively involved in hopefully creating a great community facility, and the jobs it can potentially bring, is very positive.”
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