Barrow AFC's plans for new £9million stadium
Last updated at 14:28, Wednesday, 22 February 2012
BARROW could soon be home to a £9m new football stadium, the Evening Mail can reveal.
For the last two years, Barrow AFC director Tony Keen has kept a closely-guarded secret – his ambition to build a new stadium in Barrow.
Since being given the backing of the club’s board, Mr Keen has spent months compiling a dossier on Barrow and his plans for the development – which he said could become a reality within a year or two.He said: “From my perspective, this is one of the biggest things that could happen to the town.
“I’m really passionate about it and the benefits it could bring to the town. It’s a massive opportunity and we will keep fighting for it.”
The stadium’s design and a feasibility study has been undertaken by FWP, the company behind similar developments at Leigh Sports Village, Fleetwood Town and Preston North End.
Barrow’s new ground would include a new stand on the Popular Side, a revamp of the main stand and a new seating area on the Holker Street end. A new function suite would also be built and office space could be rented out to private tenants.
Mr Keen said: “In terms of jobs, there would probably be the need to take on some more people from the club’s perspective, but there are also opportunities for small businesses to benefit from any office space and of course the labour needed for construction.”
The layout of the new development remains confidential at this stage, although Mr Keen said the possibilities had been narrowed down.
He said: “In terms of the land, we started with 32 different options and now we’re down to two.”
Mr Keen is also tight-lipped about the source of funding but said the club was confident of securing the financial backing from private investors.
The director said: “People will have seen for themselves; ever since this board was created we have invested in the infrastructure so we can generate more income.
“We believe the extra income generated from a facility like this would be the catalyst needed to get us into the next level of football.”
Mr Keen was quick to stress the club was not dependent on a new stadium.
He said: “The new stadium would very much run alongside the club and the club will continue as normal. Our commitment to the club will remain as strong as ever regardless of what happens with the stadium and sports village.”
A new stadium would represent one of the club’s most ambitious projects in its 111-year history. But Mr Keen admitted there were still “a lot of hoops” to jump through.
He said: “There’s a lot still to work through; we can’t say it’s 100 per cent going to happen but the determination and drive is there.
“I just keep trying to get to the next level and we keep achieving our targets.”
First published at 13:09, Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Should be interesting to see what comes of it seeing as though they can't afford to pay their staff on time nevermind build a 9M stadium
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Jimbob,I'll tell you especially,what I find interesting shall I.People like you Jimbob that spread poison such as to quote you Jimbob,"They cant afford to pay their staff on time".Now,where the hell did you glean that nonsense from,because I'll tell you now,it certainly was not in the Evening Mail.People such as yourself Jimbob do our club more harm than good with such spiteful comments that in all probability are borne out of sheer avarice that the Football club might,just might make a go of it.If,and I know its a big if,that they ever do get a new ground and make a go of it I should imagine there would be quite a few people such as yourself Jimbob queuing up to h... yourself at the sheer frustration of the rugby club being on the bones of their backside and having no one or thing to turn to,that's your real problem,that's what is really eating away at you if the truth be known isn't it Jimbob,eh!.
Posted by Ramon Harrison (Ram) on 5 June 2012 at 17:31