Board Want To Build New Stadium by 2013, and change to freehold on Stadium

[STFC_Gazza]

Interesting about the leasehold to a freehold situation...

From the adver

NICK Watkins insists Swindon Town ‘s long-term future is still at the County Ground.
Town’s chief executive claims it is still the board’s desire to redevelop the club’s current facilities at SN1 rather than find another location to build a new stadium for the League One outfit.
Andrew Fitton’s consortium celebrate a year in charge on January 15 and although Watkins admits the credit crunch has affected Town, he claims the club remains financially stable.
“The club, in terms of its administrative procedures is much tighter and cleaner (than it was a year ago), and yet we are faced with a very difficult economic climate going forwards,” he said.
“So having made the investment in some of the infrastructure in terms of conferencing facilities and improved hospitality, we are now finding that, like so many companies around the country, they are suffering from people cutting back on what you and I would consider to be disposable items on their agenda.
“I would hope that, in some respects, we are a bit of a benchmark for other clubs in the way that we are analysing costs, reporting costs, and dealing with the running of a football club.
“But it is not made any easier by the current financial climate.”
Town’s board of directors are currently running a feasibility study to determine the best way forward for a place to call home – with chairman Fitton already expressing his desire to remain at their County Ground base of 112 years over a move to an out-of-town stadium.
And Watkins admitted that, as Swindon engage in talks with the local council, their ultimate choice will be one that is the best for the club’s long-term future.
“We are talking with Swindon Borough Council right now about the 2013 redevelopment or relocation issue,” said the chief executive.
“We’re talking quite actively about what we’re doing and where we are going.
“It’s a leasehold situation currently, but we would love to make it a freehold situation – that would certainly change the whole complexion of our balance sheet.
“And yet we also have a responsibility to look at alternatives and to cost alternatives, and we’re doing it in a pretty awkward financial climate.
“But the important thing is that we take a decision based on the best interests of the club and the shareholders and new owners.
“Andrew has quite openly stated that his preferred option, if at all feasible, would be to stay here and redevelop the County Ground.”

[Ardiles]

Good luck to them.  I remember Rikki Hunt making pretty much the same comments about needing the freehold of our own stadium on the club's balance sheet a decade ago.

I fully support the board in the direction they're taking (and especially with the decision to stay in the centre of Swindon)...but they have a real job on their hands.  Large development/investment projects simply don't happen in Swindon as quickly as in other towns.

[Colin Todd]

Its not really a revelation is it?

[overthehill]

Its not really a revelation is it?

More like a revolution, just goes round and round............

[@MacPhlea]

Good luck to them.  I remember Rikki Hunt making pretty much the same comments about needing the freehold of our own stadium on the club's balance sheet a decade ago.

I fully support the board in the direction they're taking (and especially with the decision to stay in the centre of Swindon)...but they have a real job on their hands.  Large development/investment projects simply don't happen in Swindon as quickly as in other towns.

I think you'll be surprised at how keen the council are to help - it was the previous regimes arrogance/unprofessionalism that prevented any progress on this front in the past... it won't happen tomorrow but it will happen at some point

[THE FLASH]

Its not really a revelation is it?

Glad im not the only one that said 'no shit Sherlock!' in my head...

[pauld]

I think you'll be surprised at how keen the council are to help - it was the previous regimes arrogance/unprofessionalism that prevented any progress on this front in the past... it won't happen tomorrow but it will happen at some point

The stumbling block (apart from the insane/illegal nature of previous proposals) was always the insistence that a certain key figure be involved in any negotiations once they started to get serious and his unerring knack of pissing off all involved.

[herthab]

The stumbling block (apart from the insane/illegal nature of previous proposals) was always the insistence that a certain key figure be involved in any negotiations once they started to get serious and his unerring knack of pissing off all involved.

Good job Fred's no longer on the Trust Board then....

[Samdy Gray]

Good job Fred's no longer on the Trust Board then....

Oh, but he is.

[fatbury]

i heard to build up the Stratton Bank they would be looking to buy up many of the house on Shrivenham Road

[pauld]

Good job Fred's no longer on the Trust Board then....

He kept wearing that dead rabbit hat to meetings with the council, that was the problem

[herthab]

Oh, but he is.

Fucking quango's

[Fred Elliot]

The hat is now officially retired.

Go a newer better model

[Fred Elliot]

Fucking quango's

You could have stood you lazy cunt

[pauld]

The hat is now officially retired.

Go a newer better model

What, strapping a weasel on to your ears now?