Castleford Tigers share stadium plans update
Castleford Tigers have provided the latest update on their stadium plans.
Castleford and Highgrove Group, the owners of the Junction 32 site, have today released details of their plans. It could see the club benefit from a funding arrangement similar to that recently achieved by Wakefield.
If successful, the Tigers would stay at a revitalised Wheldon Road stadium.
Highgrove Group have agreed to provide funds towards improvements to Wheldon Road. This would be instead of relocating to a new stadium.
Funds raised by the proposed new employment development would supplement Wakefield Council’s £2million grant to Castleford via their Rugby League Resilience Fund, announced at the end of last year.
This mirrors the mechanism of the recent planning approval which provides funds to redevelop Trinity’s Belle Vue ground.
In recent months, the Super League club and Highgrove Group have been working on development proposals to bring Wheldon Road up to modern standards.
The club proposes to demolish and rebuild the main stand. They also plan to modernise the existing Princess Street Stand, Railway End and Wheldon Road End. There would also be new fan facilities and food and drink outlets. Four new changing rooms, a new gymnasium, additional medical and physiotherapy facilities, new staff and foundation offices and hospitality suites are also planned.
Castleford Tigers managing director: ‘What the stadium needs is a full revamp’
Mark Grattan, Castleford Tigers managing director said: “There has long been a need for serious investment into the fabric of Wheldon Road.
“We spend large sums each year on maintenance, but this is really just applying a sticking plaster. What the stadium needs is a full revamp, befitting of our status as a Super League club.
“Following Wakefield Council’s announcement regarding their Rugby League Resilience Fund, and Wakefield Trinity’s recent successful planning approval, we have been working closely with Highgrove Group to secure the additional funds necessary to make Wheldon Road fit for the future.
“We are delighted to provide details of our plans with Highgrove Group to fund major investment into our historic home using funds raised, should proposed new employment development come to fruition at the Axiom site.”
The Junction 32 site is ideally located to take advantage of the strong current demand for employment and commercial space. Highgrove Group anticipate that employment development on the Junction 32 site would create around 1,800 on-site jobs and almost 600 further jobs elsewhere to support it, plus over 650 jobs during construction.
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