Salford stadium plans hit by credit crunch

Salford’s plans for a new stadium have been hit by the recession, which has effected the funding provided by the Learning and Skills Council.

Impressive plans for a new stadium near Barton Bridge and the Trafford Centre were the cornerstone of the Reds’ Super League licence application last season.

The plans have since been changed, although in January Salford announced a partnership with the new Salford City College which would see facilities for the college incorporated in to the plan.

However, the LSC is currently reassessing the national projects that they can deliver and the criteria on which the funding can be released.

But the Reds are still confident that the development and capital funding for the college and stadium will be high on the agenda.

Reds CEO David Tarry said: “The Stadium will happen and if, ultimately, the college are unable to take advantage of that opportunity, then we still have our Main Partners – the City of Salford, who remain totally committed to the scheme, and Peel Holdings – one of the leading developers in the country, along with a landmark site that already has Planning Permission for stadium and retail use and we look forward to introducing Super League to the whole Manchester region.”

The club are also hopeful of completing the stadium project within their timeframes, which are now believed to be the start of the 2011 season.