Positive stadium developments

Last updated : 07 July 2006 By Michael Morris
Alongside him were Paul Guy and Mike Hall who along with Ridsdale are responsible for delivering the new home for Cardiff City FC.

It's Ridsdale's aim to have diggers on site before the end of the year with a completion due in the summer of 2008 ready for the 2008 / 2009 season.

The delivery from Ridsdale was very impressive and the whole stadium issue appears to be moving ahead with positive tones.

Ridsdale had a go at the media for the negative reporting and hoped that the information he delivered would see more positive stories being written about the club.

New details were given regarding the stadium itself. It was confirmed that initially it will be a 30,000 two tier stadium with some slight design changes from the original plans. These involve a lowering of the height by having a slightly sunken pitch. The changes fall within the parameters of the original plans. New information is due to be submitted to the council next week and the club are hoping to have the full endorsement to go ahead by September. Tenders are either out or going out for the stadium and the athletics stadium and they are due back during the next couple of months.

Ridsdale was keen to enfore the news that the finances and business plan were in good order and not causing a problem. Quite an achievement considering the precarious state of the club a little over 12 months ago.

Mike Hall confirmed the signatures of ASDA and COSTCO and says he hopes to announce possibly three more tennants in the next month.

New images of the stadium were shown and possible increases in revenues from corporate hospitlity and increased gates were discussed.

Mr Ridsdale emphasised the clubs ambition to bring Premiership football to Cardiff and see it in the new stadium if not before.

"The retailers are signed up and the land is being acquired by the retail developer," said Ridsdale.

"We know what the price is so we know how much money we've got to build the stadium. We've designed the stadium within that budget and we can now see the finishing line.

"It's a very exciting development which will have social benefits to the city of Cardiff."

'It is not a question of if this is going to happen, but when,' added Paul Guy.