A new proposal alongside two existing offers have been submitted on the future of The Shay Stadium in in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England (UK).
A Community Benefit Society model focusing on operating The Shay Stadium has been mooted which will facilitate community access to the venue.
‘HALIFAX Courier’ stated that one of the three previous proposals from the Halifax businessman Tony Wood has been withdrawn and replaced by a bid from the Halifax F.C. Women club in partnership with an advisory group based in Dubai (UAE).
The 5,108-seat The Shay Stadium is a multipurpose sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England (UK).
The Halifax F.C. Women is an English women’s football club based in West Yorkshire (UK). Formed in 2013, they currently play in the FA Women’s National League Division One North (a regional football division at the fourth tier of the women’s football pyramid in England). The 200-seat Myra Shay Stadium serves as their digs.
Long-term Role
‘HALIFAX Courier’ further stated that the proposal has been submitted along with the other two previous expressions of interest from the Halifax property consultants Stewart and Beverly Charnock-Bates and a consortium from the Halifax Panthers, all seeking to take on a long-term role in the management and development of the stadium.
The Halifax Panthers is a professional rugby league club in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England (UK). They play their home games at The Shay Stadium and compete in the Championship, the second tier of British rugby league.
Multipurpose Community Hub
The bid from Halifax FC Women, in partnership with an advisory group based in Dubai, is proposing a long-term lease to establish The Shay Stadium as a permanent home for women’s football in the town while creating an inclusive, multipurpose community hub for the borough including health, education and events use.
Community Outcomes
The bid from Stewart and Beverly Charnock-Bates is proposing a Community Benefit Society model focusing on operating The Shay Stadium on a not-for-profit basis thus securing the stadium’s long-term future while increasing community access. The proposal highlights a commitment to delivering measurable social, economic and environmental benefits thus ensuring that the community outcomes remain at the heart of the stadium’s operation and development.
Community Sport
And the bid from the Halifax Panthers/Calderdale Community Stadium Consortium is seeking a long-term lease supported by a staged transition process. Their vision is to ensure The Shay Stadium meets the needs of the professional clubs whilst expanding the opportunities for community sport, education, health and the wellbeing initiatives, the business activity, the leisure uses, and the broader regeneration benefits for the area.
Sustainable Financial Solution
Discussions have been taking place to secure a sustainable financial solution to the running of the stadium led by the Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Assets and Resources, Councilor Mike Payne, in partnership with the Cabinet Member for Public Services, Councilor Peter Hunt.
Business Cases
The business cases will be reviewed by the two Cabinet Members with support from the relevant Council officers, as appropriate. The submissions will be thoroughly evaluated in readiness for a decision to be made at the meeting of the Cabinet in October.
Valued Community Asset
Commented Councilor Mike Payne, “Following the August 2nd deadline for expressions of interest in the running of the Shay Stadium I was keen to provide an update on the situation and the process and timescales for a decision on the stadium’s future. I’m pleased that we have received three full proposals each offering a different vision for The Shay Stadium but all recognizing its importance as a valued community asset.”
‘Community Engagement’
Added Councilor Payne, “We will now carefully consider each submission considering a range of factors including the financial viability, the commitment to the clubs currently playing at The Shay, the community engagement, the spectator experience, and the overall approach to operating the stadium. We all want a bright future for The Shay ensuring that the key facility supports professional sport in Calderdale (Metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire) and brings benefits for the local people. We’ll continue to provide updates as we consider the best long-term solution for the stadium and Calderdale as a whole.”
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