Leisure developer scores £55m football stadium
AFTER nearly two decades, Grimsby Town FC may be getting its long-awaited stadium.
Extreme Leisure, a specialist sports and leisure property developer has signed on for the £55m development which will see a 14,000 capacity stadium and leisure development built at Peaks Parkway, one of multiple sites that was suggested for the build.
Extreme has signed an agreement with Grimsby Town FC, and the company is progressing with a viability assessment of the project, to obtain pre-application planning. If given permission, the site could be completed within three years.
The new stadium development could create 320 full time positions, excluding construction jobs.
Its accompanying leisure development will cost an estimated £200m and will feature an ice rink, further sports facilities as well as retail, food and beverage sites.
Affordable residential space will also be included in the plans according to Extreme and the developer has agreed and secured full funding which includes expressions of interest/ pre-let agreement for 50% of the development with and unnamed national leisure operator.
Cllr Ray Oxby, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: : “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 notwithstanding 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.”
Grimsby Town director, John Fenty added: “We are delighted that Peaks Parkway has now been chosen as the reference site for this very exciting development. It will ensure that the Grimsby Town Football club remains at the heart of the community for future generations, providing a lasting legacy in a new state of the art Community Stadium at the centre of a leisure destination.
“We are very pleased to have teamed up with Extreme who have an outstanding track record of delivering excellence in the leisure industry.
“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. Importantly during the evolution of the scheme there will a number of further consultations in addition to those which have already been undertaken.
“Feedback emanating from these will be taken into the design with the intention of causing the least impact to local residents.”
Alistair Gosling chairman at Extreme said: “We are very excited to be working on this sport & leisure development and the opportunity to create a fantastic new stadium and sports destination.
“This will provide inbound Investment, local employment and better facilities for the Locals and Visitors of North East Lincolnshire. It is further commitment to the success of Grimsby Town FC and their achievement of promotion to the league.”
