Architect Terry Ward, of Ward McHugh, has designed a Stadium which could be built on any of the non Saltergate Options. It has a Capacity of 12,000 to 14,000, depending on the amount of safe standing incorporated into the design and, if sufficient space at any new location was available, full training and all weather facilities could be added.

Information presented to CFSS within the following criteria will be used to conduct a weighted feasibility study that will determine the venue most likely to deliver the project objectives.

• Land Amount - The minimum land requirements to build a new stadium is 8 acres, however to provide a venue with 'School of Excellence' / 'Football Academy' and full training facilities which can be used by other community groups and the general public a total of 40 acres is the optimum requirement. Obviously for locations of limited size the Society recognizes that the option of a spilt site is an alternative that could be used.
  
• Other Development Costs - Allowance should also be made as to the likely additional costs for any supporting infrastructure e.g. services and access roads.

• Land Cost / Availability / Planning - The price per acre, availability of land and the benefit of planning permission at any proposed site will be important factors in any scheme put forward. However, consideration should also be given to the ongoing development potential a football stadium and community facilities could bring to a site. Inclusion within a scheme could act as a catalyst for a complete development project, encouraging the acceptance of a more diverse and mixed use proposal to planners and the public, and improve the commercial viability to other potential investors.

 

·         Building Costs and Funding - CFSS are currently evaluating the likely build costs for the redevelopment of Saltergate and for a new stadium with and without the desired community, sporting and commercial add-ons. Funds are available to The Society to cover a substantial proportion of the building costs and we are currently exploring other funding options. However initial financial modelling exercises indicate a cash shortfall, therefore any proposed scheme that includes some enabling or gap funding will have significant advantages.

• Preferred Timetable - It is intended that assessment of the various locations continues throughout March and the first part of April, and that the Society be in a position to present further information to its membership on 23^rd April 2002 (The next public meeting of the Society's membership). The options presented may only be 'staying at Saltergate and refurbishing the existing stadium' or 'the relocation of the Football Club to a new stadium', with maybe the two most likely, feasible, desirable and deliverable sites demonstrated. However it is fully intended that a clear mandate is given to CFSS for it to pursue this project to completion and deliver a Football Stadium sports, leisure and recreation facility this town can be proud of for generations to come.