Community Stadium

Introduction

The Cambridgeshire Horizons Major Sports Facilities Strategy recommended that further work be undertaken to investigate the feasibility of developing a community stadium for Cambridge. In November 2007, PMP Consultancy Ltd were commissioned to undertake a feasibility study for the project.

What is a Community Stadium?

A Community Stadium is a sports facility that provides a range of amenities and services beyond its core use. Facilities are tailored to reflect local need, and a community stadium aims to be accessible to the communities it serves throughout the day and night. Possible facilities for a community stadium include:

 
• Gym and health facilities
• Training pitches and community sports facilities
• Education
• Dance/Performance space
• Commercial uses (bars, restaurants, conference centre)

Key findings

The report considered possible site locations and identified suitable sports clubs that could be involved in a 10,000 seat community stadium project in the Cambridge area.

A range of sites were considered, and the report recommended three sites for more detailed consideration:
1. Milton - The site is located close to the new Park & Ride site, providing transport access from the A10 and A14. This site would present the best option for an extensive Community Stadium complex, offering the widest range of development options. However, the site is located within the Green Belt, which could restrict development options.
2. Cambridge East - There is potential for a community stadium to be delivered in the longer term as an integral part of the masterplan for Cambridge East (the current airport site) - providing a wide mixture of community facilities in a future major development area.
3. Cowley Road - The smallest of the sites identified, Cowley Road would only provide limited community facilities alongside the stadium. However, the site itself could still deliver a viable stadium, and is located in an area earmarked for development.

The feasibility study has outlined three potential main sporting partners for the community stadium, who could work in partnership with local authorities to deliver such a facility;
1. Cambridge United FC is the only club in the area that has the scale of requirements to justify a 10,000 seat community stadium, therefore the study recommends Cambridge United as the lead partner for the project.
2. Cambridge City FC - The lease on the club's current ground ends in 2010, making the requirement for relocation strong. Cambridge City FC currently achieves much smaller attendances than Cambridge United FC, which means it would be difficult for them to be the lead partner.
3. Cambridge Rugby Union FC - Whilst Cambridge Rugby Club do not have a pressing need to move from their current site, should they be promoted in the future, there will be a requirement for increased capacity and better facilities.

Both Cambridge City FC and Cambridge Rugby Club would be suitable partners to Cambridge United FC for the Community Stadium scheme. However, there are potential issues surrounding two football clubs sharing the same ground, which needs further consideration.

Next Steps

A development group has been set up, chaired by Horizons, which comprises representatives from Cambridgeshire Football Association, Living Sport, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. The group is now liasing with local clubs and giving further detailed consideration to site options.

View a full copy of the report here.