Agenda item

This report provides a high level analysis of the potential for a community stadium in York and seeks approval to pursue the project to the next key stage and undertake a detailed feasibility study.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the findings of the report be noted and approval given to pursue the project to the next key stage; that is, to undertake a detailed feasibility study that will develop a full business case for a robust and deliverable community stadium in York and to report back to the Executive in two key stages:

a)     findings from site selection and initial feasibility (November 2009, to align with the LDF process);

b)     final findings (between April and July 2010).

(ii)That the following strands of work be undertaken as part of the feasibility study, to enable the development of a business case for a preferred option:

a)     Confirm the specific requirements of York City, York City Knights, the Athletics Club and other sporting and community interests in the City.  This could be formalised in some form of Memorandum of Understanding in relation to potential capital contributions, governance, operating arrangements and facility usage.

b)     Undertake an audit of the current activities taking place at the Huntington Stadium, together with a recommendation as to how those activities could be sustained in the future.

c)      Pursue detailed discussions / negotiations with relevant education and health sector partners to exhaust options for a well being / education hub.  Exhaust the opportunities for other public sector stakeholders and partners and develop a business plan for how the uses could effectively co-habit a community stadium.

d)     Undertake a detailed financial and economic assessment.  Initiate discussions with potential funding agencies.  Undertake a detailed examination of development and procurement options as part of the wider financial appraisal.

e)     Initiate the site selection process for a preferred site or sites and begin the preparation of a high level planning case.  Examine the scope for enabling development linked to the funding / financial appraisal.

f)        Undertake master planning / design work to assist the site selection process, identify land take requirements.  Provide schematics to enable the feasibility work and specific stadium / partner requirements.

g)     Develop a high level business case for developing an eco-stadium that maximises the potential of environmental sustainability and green energy sources / technologies.  This will cover a range of options, benefits, capital / revenue costs / savings, CO₂ savings and funding potential.

h)      Identify Officer time from key corporate disciplines (in particular finance, legal, property, leisure and planning) to work as part of an internal team to support the feasibility work and ensure that the interests of the Council are secured at all stages as the project proceeds.

REASON:      In order to provide the best opportunity to deliver a shared use stadium for the City of York which will be economically viable in the long term.

[See also under Part B minutes]

Members considered a report which presented an outline business case for a community stadium in York, drawing on feasibility work undertaken by Five Lines Consulting, case studies for other stadiums across the UK and specialist advice provided to the Council.

The report included a demand assessment and an assessment of options, the latter providing an initial indication of the potential benefits, costs and viability of the four main options, as follows:

Option 1 – shared football and rugby core stadium, with a £1m contribution towards re-provision of an athletics facility elsewhere in the City.

Option 2 – shared football and rugby stadium, plus community sports village including a county standard athletics facility and sports pitches.

Option 3 – as per Option 2, plus an extensive range of community facilities.

Option 4 – as per Option 3, plus a hotel / conference centre.

The analysis at this early stage indicated that there was a significant capital shortfall for three of these options (Options 2-4).  However Option 4, being supported by a key commercial anchor, could demonstrate both potential commercial robustness and wide community benefits.

A prudent approach was recommended, to ensure that any option developed did not expose the Council and its partners to future financial liability.  The next steps, as outlined in paragraphs 13.3 to 13.5 of the report, would include development of a full business case, involving detailed feasibility work that would require in-depth analysis and the use of specialist resources. Following a project costing exercise, it was estimated that the total costs required to take the project to the next key and final feasibility stage would be £175k, representing an additional £100k on top of the budget already identified.

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the findings of the report be noted and approval given to pursue the project to the next key stage; that is, to undertake a detailed feasibility study that will develop a full business case for a robust and deliverable community stadium in York and to report back to the Executive in two key stages:

a)     findings from site selection and initial feasibility (November 2009, to align with the LDF process);

b)     final findings (between April and July 2010).¹

(ii)That the following strands of work be undertaken as part of the feasibility study, to enable the development of a business case for a preferred option:

a)     Confirm the specific requirements of York City, York City Knights, the Athletics Club and other sporting and community interests in the City.  This could be formalised in some form of Memorandum of Understanding in relation to potential capital contributions, governance, operating arrangements and facility usage. ²

b)     Undertake an audit of the current activities taking place at the Huntington Stadium, together with a recommendation as to how those activities could be sustained in the future. ³

c)      Pursue detailed discussions / negotiations with relevant education and health sector partners to exhaust options for a well being / education hub.  Exhaust the opportunities for other public sector stakeholders and partners and develop a business plan for how the uses could effectively co-habit a community stadium. ⁴

d)     Undertake a detailed financial and economic assessment.  Initiate discussions with potential funding agencies.  Undertake a detailed examination of development and procurement options as part of the wider financial appraisal. ⁵

e)     Initiate the site selection process for a preferred site or sites and begin the preparation of a high level planning case.  Examine the scope for enabling development linked to the funding / financial appraisal. ⁶

f)        Undertake master planning / design work to assist the site selection process, identify land take requirements.  Provide schematics to enable the feasibility work and specific stadium / partner requirements. ⁷

g)     Develop a high level business case for developing an eco-stadium that maximises the potential of environmental sustainability and green energy sources / technologies.  This will cover a range of options, benefits, capital / revenue costs / savings, CO₂ savings and funding potential. ⁸

h)      Identify Officer time from key corporate disciplines (in particular finance, legal, property, leisure and planning) to work as part of an internal team to support the feasibility work and ensure that the interests of the Council are secured at all stages as the project proceeds. ⁹

REASON:      In order to provide the best opportunity to deliver a shared use stadium for the City of York which will be economically viable in the long term.