£58m go ahead for new stadium

Last updated : 10 May 2007 By Michael Morris
"We have paid £58m into the council project bank account - for the whole scheme," said Pater Ridsdale today.

"That £58m will fund the new multi-purpose stadium, a new athletics stadium, a house of sport, road improvements and money for the regeneration programme under our business plan, plus money for allotment holders.

"This truly is the final piece in getting the work started, there is no more talking to be done.

"This is now a funded project which will start in the next few days."

Unconditional? That word has been bandied about recently. Is this another Sam Hammam signing on the pitch type moment?

Well not this time. Basically this is it. No more plans, planning, pre-conditions, scrutiny or anything else. The money has been paid into a bank account that will be controlled by the council. £58m is sat there now to fund Cardiff City's new stadium, the new athletic stadium, the road development, the House of Sport (an indoor multi purpose sports complex) as well as funds to help towards the local area.

The timeline is hoping to see a stadium built and ready for football in early 2009. Therefore Cardiff City have a minimum of a season and a half left at Ninian Park. The switch could take place during or at the end of the 2008 / 2009 season.

The "dream" started by Sam Hammam 7 years ago looks like flourishing under Peter Ridsdale, the man Hammam brought to the club. Hammam was unable to complete the project and (though we'll never know exactly what went on) nearly took the club into oblivion. Ridsdale has steadied the ship, and has created a new base from whcih the building will start.

There have been several false dawsn in the past but this one looks like the real deal.

There is a full statement from Peter Ridsdale here on the official website and the following links are to the stories from today's Echo which report on the breaking news.

The Big £58m go ahead - South Wales Echo

Ridsdale: 'This is the best job I have done'

City stadium: Your questions answered