Ryan Caulfield
Feature Story
York Community Stadium
A Rugby World Cup in York?
With York set to launch a new community stadium in the summer of 2019, could their latest bid land them with the chance to be a host city for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in 2021? How will the new community stadium be a hit for the city of York and its people?
The York Community Stadium is set to open next summer and will be the home of York City Football Club and York City Knights. The complex is under construction in Huntington at the Vangarde Retail Park, which is part of the Monks Cross shopping outlet.
Not only will the stadium hold a capacity of 8,000 people for both the football and rugby team respectively, but there will also be a new IMAX with fourteen screens, as well as a community hub, including a library and the community offices for York’s sports clubs, York Against Cancer retail unit and offices, NHS outpatient services, new swimming facilities, gym, dance studio and a sports hall with spectator seating, retail and restaurants and catering and hospitality areas.
The stadium will give both the players of the football and rugby clubs an uplifting feeling as they walk out onto the pitch at their new home, as well as lift the supporters of York City Football Club and York City Knights who can now spectate their local team in a brand spanking new arena, I mean who doesn’t like brand spanking new?
The stadium and complex, will give the City of York a buzz, sense of excitement and anticipation around the city as the countdown to the launch nears ever so slowly. It is always a big occasion when something new is launched and I’m sure the Community Stadium will be no different and will attract a large number of people. Not to mention that it’s another ‘Thing to do’ when out and about with family or friends, with there being a new cinema launching too, and the addition of more retail and restaurants, which will drive the revenue up.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, executive member for leisure, culture and tourism at City of York Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress being made on site at the new community stadium and leisure complex.”
“The buildings and sports facilities are taking shape and we are on schedule. I’m looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors when the stadium and leisure complex opens in summer 2019.”
He also went on to add, “The progress being made on site is exciting to see and with the building of the west stand starting and foundations for the east stand in place there is much more to come.”
“The leisure centre continues to develop at pace, you can start to see where the sports hall, gym and swimming areas will be so it is very exciting. It’s full steam ahead on site as we look ahead to opening next year.”
The City of York Council Ian Gillies said:
“The York Stadium Leisure Complex will be a welcome asset for the city. It is great to hear that the construction works are going so well. When complete, residents will have access to top class sporting, community and leisure facilities. With new jobs being created and the considerable investment that is being made this will bring significant long lasting economic benefits to the city.”
Councillor Nigel Ayre said, “This topping out ceremony is another milestone for the project and excitement is really building as we get closer and closer to opening.”
“It is fantastic to see so much happening on site with the works progressing on time and it has been great seeing the whole complex start to take shape.”
Another exciting prospect surrounding the new community stadium is that it could be a host city for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2021. The bid was submitted by a consortium consisting of the council, along with the University of York, York St. John, GLL, York City Knights and Make it York, with the event to be held in October- November 2021. This would be an incredible event to be held in York if it was to go ahead, no doubt, just like the community stadium will create a buzz for both York City FC fans and York City Knight’s fans, to host Rugby League World Cup games in three years’ time, would be a colossal feat, showing just how far York as a city has progressed and showing their ambition as a city. For one of the smaller cities in England, York certainly holds its own in competing with other big name cities, and so to win the bid would be a milestone for the city of York.
York City chairman Jason McGill said: “We are delighted to back this bid which can only help promote the city, the new stadium, and the growing participation of women in top level sport. It would be great for the local area and would showcase international women’s rugby – which, in future years, can hopefully follow the lead set by the development of women’s football.”
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “This bid has been made possible by the new stadium, which will be completed next year, quality training facilities and our well known reputation as a welcoming place for visitors. We have proven that as a city we can host huge events with many festivals held in the city every year. The Rugby League World Cup 2021 would be an exciting addition to our events calendar, especially after the recent success of the York City Knights and growing interest in rugby league across the city.”
Councillor Ian Gillies, Leader of City of York Council said: “This event offers the opportunity for the city to develop a profile in international women’s sport. We hope that if our bid is successful it will provide the catalyst to inspire more women to take part in sport, whether rugby or any sport that appeals to them. Our bid aims to champion women’s sport, connecting communities behind this event, challenging preconceptions about both York and women’s sport and encouraging increased participation in sport by inspiring residents young and old. We will also put on an amazing event that puts York squarely in the international sporting spotlight.”