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Sports facilities in three years ...? - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCARBOROUGH remains "committed" to a new football stadium - and sports facilities could be built in a minimum of three years, council chiefs insist.
A report on the scheme's progress was delivered to members of Scarborough Council's cabinet this week.
Councillors backed plans to choose a private sector partner for the development which would be laid out as a community sports village, rather than a football-only venue, on the site of Weaponness Valley coach park.
The town has been without a football stadium since Scarborough FC folded in 2007. The council bought their former Seamer Road home, the McCain Stadium, from administrators for 1.3 million 18 months ago but engineers found it would cost 1 million to return the ground to an "acceptable standard".
The authority's strategic director Hilary Jones told the cabinet meeting: "Our wish is to replace the Seamer Road site and develop a community stadium that would enable community football but also competitive football to be played again in Scarborough."
The proposed sports village could include a 25m competition swimming pool, a sports hall and outdoor pitches which meet required standards for football clubs.
It may also feature community, health and education facilities, and space for student accommodation.
Mrs Jones said: "We have done work nationally and there are some very good models out there.
"What we are seeking at this point is approval to go out and look for interest.
"There will be a three-year process, minimum, to where some facilities open and three to five years if we are looking at other areas."
Council leader Tom Fox said: "If we don't start now, that three years will keep moving down the road so we have to get that going."
The authority has been accused of not providing enough cash for the sports centre in Filey Road, which occupies a prime site for housing.
Brian Bennett, head of tourism and culture, aid: "We would do the best to maintain the facilities but we've got to be careful we don't spend too much money on things which are potentially short lived."
The council's legal chief Ian Anderson added: "We are very much committed to the stadium."
Scarborough Athletic FC have played their "home" games in Bridlington since forming in 2007, while Scarborough Town are based in Eastfield.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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