Government confirms Olympic Stadium decision
Tue 11th Oct 2011 | Football Stadiums & Facilities
The DCMS have released a statement confirming the withdrawal of its decision to sell the Olympic Stadium to West Ham United Football Club.
‘The Government and Mayor of London have decided to end the current process to dispose of the Olympic stadium, which has become bogged down in a number of legal and other challenges,’ read the statement.
West Ham had been due to takeover the stadium after the London Olympic Games in 2012, but following a series of legal challenges the stadium will now be retained it as a public asset, and the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) has been asked to start a new process to secure tenants for the stadium.
Worries that the legacy promised by the games organisers is in danger of complete collapse the decision will mean that athletics will remain at the heart of the facility, as has been promised as part of the 2017 World Athletics Championship bid.
However, the OPLC will also seek leasehold football tenants as well as considering alternative options an ownership model that is used very successfully in other stadiums in the country and across Europe and is also in keeping with other venues in the Olympic Park.
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said:
“The Government is committed to securing a legacy from the Olympic stadium, and wants to see it re-opening in 2014.
“The process to sell the stadium has become bogged down. We are acting today to end the legal paralysis that has put that legacy at risk. Ending the current sale process and looking for a leasehold solution will remove the current uncertainty and allows us to help secure the future use of the Stadium with more confidence”.
 |
 |
 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSCRIBE TO THE F.C. BUSINESS RSS FEED
If you have any football business related news stories you’d like to share then please contact us – agourley@fcbusiness.co.uk or ryan@fcbusiness.co.uk
Google
Yahoo
Live
del.icio
DiggRelated Articles
Synthetic Turf Top Of the Agenda For Football League
Fri 18th May 2012 | Football Stadiums & Facilities
The European Synthetic Turf Organisation (ESTO) has pledged its commitment to profiling the benefits of synthetic turf in sport, as it champions a positive decision in advance of the Football...
Southgate Calls For Investment In Grassroots Facilities
Thu 17th May 2012 | Football Stadiums & Facilities
Gareth Southgate, Head of Elite Development at The FA, believes investment into the country’s grassroots football facilities is crucial to the technical development of the next crop of English...
Lincoln City Offer Fans Chance to Rename Stadium
Thu 17th May 2012 | Football Stadiums & Facilities
Lincoln City will offer fans the chance to rename the club’s Sincil Bank Stadium in a unique competition aimed at raising finaces to boost the club’s playing squad. The club’s Board...
QPR Reveal Plans For New Training Ground
Tue 15th May 2012 | Football Stadiums & Facilities
Following a dramatic final game of the season in which they secured their Premier League status at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, Queens Park Rangers have announced details of a new...
