financialtimes wrote:
Sandal Ru facilities aren't suitable, they've been tried before, can't use main pitch and the other pitches are basically quagmires in the winter months, having been involved in offering offsite training facilities for the previous regime, I get why they used, then cancelled and then re-instated their arrangement with Sandal RU.
There is plenty of land in the district the council could offer on a peppercorn rent to the club, however to get it suitable for what ME wants will cost a few bob
The Council's contribution will depend on what kind of facility is on offer. A RL centre of excellence for the district would be great, but then you get the 'what about Fev and Cas) argument.
For the Council to offer a good chunk of land and underwrite the construction, it will need a wider scope than that. The Council are allowed to go into partnership with private companies under the Private Finance Initiative, but to do so the project has to offer a significant service to a reasonably large sector of the community in return, and RL alone possibly won't be enough. RL/Football and other field sport combined, especially those offering disabled access most certainly would, and should overcome any political objections.
The key is for Trinity to become the lead organisation, and the one the Council allows to run the facility. I'd guess that for such an ambitious gacility as would be needed to match the criteria, you'd be looking at 10 million, not including the land.
For Wakefield Trinity to become the chief operator I reckon we'd need to stump up a third of the cost. Though I do think some grant aid might be available in this instance.
FWIW I'd expect to see a full sized indoor pitch, at least two hybrid outdoor pitches, all floodlit. Changing rooms, gym, medical facilities, classrooms, and so on. It would need to be very near the city centre, as access via public transport is vital for community facilities.
The other alternative is to simply take control of a small club, preferably RL, and develop their ground to the standard required, keeping them on as tenants on a peppercorn rent. Sound quite mercenary, but it might suit some clubs if done sensitively. Be a lot cheaper, but more limited.
I think the most underused sports facility in Wakefield is the old Police Fields at Sandal. There is probably room for four pitches there and a facility building. Don't know who owns it, or if access may be an issue.
It's certainly fun speculating.
