Stadium for Cornwall

Cornwall Council launches new study into Stadium for Cornwall!

Cornwall Council Press Release

10 May 2010

Cornwall Council is taking a step forward in looking at the possibility of creating a new sports and events stadium in Cornwall.The new facility would provide a top quality venue for rugby and football teams as well as acting as a sports hub for Cornwall and a venue for major entertainment events.

The Council has engaged stadium specialists, Gardner and Theobald, with a wealth of experience in this area, to look at the benefits of various sites and set-ups to prepare a robust business case.

Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council cabinet member for the Economy and Regeneration, said: “This could be a fantastic development for everyone in Cornwall. We are rightly proud of the great achievements sports men and women from this region have made. Unfortunately to reach the highest level they have had to move out of the County to do so.　 The Stadium would help to retain, nurture and develop talent to achieve the highest levels. Cornwall deserves a stadium on a scale that matches their achievements and aspirations.

“At the moment we do not have a facility in Cornwall for major events. We believe that there could be great opportunities for the Council to work with sports clubs and businesses to come up with the best solution for Cornwall.”

The stadium would have an initial capacity of over 10,000 of which at least 4,500 would be seats, suitable for both football and rugby. The stadium would be designed to be able to increase in capacity in stages over time. As well as operating as a large event venue the stadium could include revenue generating facilities such as a hotel, food and beverage units and leisure facilities.

The Gardiner and Theobald team, also including The Miller Partnership Architects, pmpgenesis and Five Lines Consulting, who have previously worked together on major projects such as The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, KC Stadium in Hull and the redesign of the Brit Oval, are expected to report their findings back to the Council in the autumn of 2010.

Stadium Funding

Funding for the Stadium is being looked into, and could be derived from:

1. Capital Funding. This relates to asset sales (land belonging to Cornwall Council), and will go towards construction.

2. Planning Gains. This is a ‘land-swop’ arrangement allowing a firm to acquire land for building in exchange for financing the stadium.

3. From various governing sports bodies (i.e. The RFU, The FA and other smaller bodies.)

Statement from the Stadium For Cornwall Committee

The Stadium for Cornwall Committee would like to express their delight at the positive responses of both the Councillors and the officers of Cornwall Council.
We were pleased that our group’s presentation and documentation in support of a Stadium Complex for Cornwall was well received and gained cross party support which we feel is imperative for the speedy realization of our goal.
The positive action taken by our new party leaders in the Council in this case is exemplary, and the response of the officers we discussed the project with were highly professional and helpful in all respects.
With such commitment and leadership we feel that there is every chance of our dream soon becoming a reality.
We hope to gain more support through our website as our petition now moves towards 10,000 signatures.

Peter Marks

Chairman