Council’s plans to take over Salford Community Stadium move closer

The council’s plans to take over the Salford Community Stadium will be pushed forward this September.

An official decision form the council’s cabinet to buyout the Salford Community Stadium (currently known as the AJ Bell stadium) from Peel will take place at a scheduled meeting on September 3.

The purchase of the remaining 50 per cent share will include the rights to the car park and training pitches as well as the development land around the site.

Once the stadium has been bought out the plan is to push forward a £65 million redevelopment plan. The development plan aims to create around 790 new jobs, delivering £28 million worth of social value.

The Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett commented: “With this acquisition, we are not just securing the future of two major rugby clubs, we are also unlocking the potential for significant regeneration. By gaining control over the surrounding development land, we can ensure the area’s success in terms of job creation, economic growth, and, most importantly, benefits for Salfordians.

“This is a strategic investment in the future of Salford, one that will bring lasting benefits for generations to come.”

The buyout would reportedly see the council take on a £29.7m debt as well as a £1.7m share equity but the Mayor Dennett claims this debt was already in the council’s accounts. He also claims the money could be recouped through the sale of development land around the new Salford Community Stadium.

Conservative Councillor Robin Garrido, has repeatedly opposed the plans as he claims the funds could be better spent somewhere else.

The council announced their plans to buy out the stadium in February this year and this was well received by most Salford Red Devils fans.

Paul King, the managing director of Salford Red Devils, said: “I can’t understate how important the conclusion of the deal is for the club.

“We’ve stretched as best as we can for as long as we can to get even to this point today, and once the agreement gets over the line, it really does give us access to some transformative opportunities.”