Thumbs up for new stadium

Councillors and officers from Fylde Borough Council gave wholehearted support to moves to take the stadium to its new home at Whyndyke Farm on the outskirts of Blackpool after a charabanc trip to the new Alfred McAlpine stadium in Huddersfield.

They had heard officials of Huddersfield Town Football Club describe how the McAlpine stadium has brought new prosperity to the town.

How it had provided much needed facilities for the community such as a new sports and concert centre and a new swimming pool.

How gates at football matches had increased by more than 50 per cent because of the new modern facilities.

How their town had been put on the map by the new stadium and ranked alongside magnificent names such as Madrid and Rome for pop concert venues.

How one pop concert given by Bryan Adams had sold out to 35,000 people in five hours and sold out again when it was decided to stage the concert for a second night.

How the pop concert had filled the town to bursting point.

"The hotels were full, the pubs were full, the sweet shops were full," said one official.

All of which was music to the ears of Blackpool chairman Vicki Oyston, managing director Gill Bridge and stadium managing director Michael Joyce, who headed the delegation to Huddersfield to let Fylde Council see at first hand the benefits a new stadium could bring to Lytham St Annes and Kirkham - in fact, the whole area.

The reward for their endeavour was almost total agreement that Blackpool's new stadium should have a new home in the Fylde.

Fylde's deputy Mayor Dawn Prestwich enthused: "The project is like a dream and it would be wonderful if it could be achieved.

"I was impressed with the presentation at Huddersfield, especially the size of the stadium.

"Everybody who has a seat can see the pitch and first-class provisions have been made for the disabled and the blind.

"I also like the idea of the stadium being used all year round for both sports and leisure - it's what people need.

"A lot of people might not like the idea, but it would bring prosperity to the area and would help considerably with boosting trade within the Fylde area.

"I know Fylde traders think it will take trade away from them, but they have to look at what it will do for them in the long term."

Fylde Council leader Paul Hayhurst added: "I welcome the development because of the jobs it will bring into the area.

"We have also been invited to house the Fylde Tourist Information Office there, which is great news.

"One thing I like is the building of the training pitches and other state-of-the-art leisure clubs, a conference centre and concert venue which will benefit the whole community.

"People from inland towns used to come to Blackpool and the Fylde for the entertainment facilities.

"Now inland towns have better facilities, but the stadium will redress that."

Chairman of planning Bill Thompson was also enthusiastic.

He said: "I think it is a splendid idea to build the stadium in the Fylde and I think we should flaunt it, not hide it.

"My only concerns are not about the stadium but how much acreage will be set aside for parking and about plans for other areas of the Whyndyke Farm site.

"I understand these will include provision for designer retail outlet shops which will, of course, be of concern to local traders.

"However, I think the stadium will bring increased business to the area."

Vicki Oyston commented: "I felt very happy. We got our message across and I think it was well received.

"The club has funding to start the scheme and we are now on our way."

Gill Bridge added: "The fans will get their new stadium. We are ready to submit our plans now and are only waiting for McAlpine's to discuss certain matters with Fylde borough."

Martin Perry, director of McAlpine, agreed and said it was "only right certain aspects of the scheme should be discussed with Fylde and Blackpool borough councils before they are made public."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.