Big News: Salford get stadium go-ahead

[DIEHARD]

Salford have been given the green light to press ahead with plans to build a new 20,000-seater stadium just off the M62 motorway.

Salford City Council has approved the Reds' ambitious proposals for the ?32million stadium, along with a hotel, shopping and leisure facilities, on a 30-hectare brown-field site near junction 11 of the M62.

Salford have played at their present ground, The Willows, for the last 100 years.

Source: Rugby Super League - http://www.SuperLeague.co.uk

[DIEHARD]

http://www.reds.co.uk/images/splash/aveit.jpg

'Ave It Salford.

Salford City Reds have been given the green light to press ahead with plans to build their new 20,000-seater stadium just off the M62 motorway close to the Trafford Centre.

Salford City Council have approved the Reds' ambitious proposals for the ?32million stadium, along with a hotel, shopping and leisure facilities, on a 30-hectare brown-field site near junction 11 of the M62.

**

EDITORIAL

by Paul McNally & Kate Parkinson

We don't normally do stuff like this but today is a special day in the club's history.

We all know what happened today. For many the waiting was over, for others it's only just beginning. When Kate and myself arrived today at the Civic Centre at 8am there were already fans there. The fact it seemed like the coldest day in the last gaziliion years didn't put off the supporters from coming out and for this we are so greatful.

We had an air of confidence about us going in as it taken such a long time to get the application so polished, but you never take anything for granted so there were paranoid doubts at the back of a lot of minds.

The next four and half hours seemed like a lifetime. We weren't in the meeting for reasons somewhere between working outside and not actually wanting to sit through it as the pressure rose. We hung around outside the door a bit listening to a bit of Adam Thomas and a little of Shirley Bradshaw speaking from the heart about what the development would mean to the club and it's people before heading out into the cold again to talk to the fans arriving for the decision.

In that respect we had absolutely no idea how things were going and were more in the dark than the fans inside the chamber were. Then suddently it was over and fans waving flags began to emerge.

Unfortunately for one TV reporter who had waited for hours, the moment of truth arrived while he was queuing for a sandwich in the shop opposite - even news hounds have to eat.

All that's left now is to tell the rest of the tale in images of the day and as night settles on the first day of our new future thank each and every one of you for turning up and bahaving impeccably throughout, Nigel Pavaro for larging it at the front, Adele and Andy from SpinMedia who have worked tirelessly with the 'Ave it campaign and even recently won an award for it, the players for high-tailing it straight from training in time for the decision, the whole of the Reds' backroom staff especially including those who had to stay back at The Willows to man the fort, our Club's Directors and Adam Thomas from Red City Developments for their constant time and attention to detail during the whole application process, all our speakers for speaking from the heart and telling it how it is and finally to our Chairman John Wilkinson OBE for, well, far more than we would ever have space for here.

Two seasons to go guys. Let's hope they are as memorable as today.

Thanks again and it was great to meet so many of you today,

Paul & Kate - SCR Media Department

Source: http://www.reds.co.uk/

[DeeGan]

I have seen the proposed site - this is going to be huge and Salford will become a force in the Super League where money talks.

The proposed set up is going to revolutionise professional rugby/rugby league stadiums - our Robina Stadium though will give a good run for it's money ;)

DeeGan

[Dakink]

Fantastic news for Salford and the game in the UK. These types of investment in infrastructure are great for the game.

[DIEHARD]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358723_salford_reds1_416.jpg
Salford's spectacular new stadium will cost ?35m and should be ready in time for the start of the 2009 season

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358721_salford_reds6_416.jpg
It will be built at Barton on the outskirts of Manchester and will seat 22,000 spectators. Salford's average attendance at The Willows, their home for the last 105 years, is 4,500

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358731_salford_reds5_416.jpg
Salford won government approval for the ambitious project following a public inquiry and 10 years of negotiations

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358727_salford_reds3_416.jpg
The stadium is part of a ?130m development that includes plans for a 210-room hotel, casino and shopping centre

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358729_salford_reds4_416.jpg
There has been speculation that Sale Sharks and Manchester United reserves will also play their home games at the arena

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358725_salford_reds2_416.jpg
The club hopes the City of Salford Stadium will give them added pulling power in their bid to lure the game's top players

AMAZING!

[Capital_Shark]

That looks like a very nice stadium, especially when compared to some of the dingy joints they play at in England. 35 million pound? Thats like a massive 88 million aussie dollars! I assume thats not the stadium alone though but the hotel and stuff aswell, right?

[DIEHARD]

130million pound all up. A huge development.

Good on the Reds, I always have a soft spot for the original Red Devils, the dirty reds.

[Capital_Shark]

130million pound all up. A huge development.

Good on the Reds, I always have a soft spot for the original Red Devils, the dirty reds.

Wow, massive investment. It'll do 'em good though, cause in ESL money talks a lot more than in the NRL with how their cap works.

[Future Star]

WOW! that stadium looks amazing!

[kioli]

It's a very iconic stadium, I'm looking towards seeing how they go.