Leeds Council backs £35m stadium redevelopment

Leeds City Council has approved a proposal which would see a third-party investor provide up to £35 million to fund the redevelopment of Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

Brokered by the authority, the deal will secure top-level international sport at Headingley. Leeds Rhinos has also pledged £5 million towards the total cost of the redevelopment.

Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, commented: “I am pleased that executive board has backed the deal which we have arranged with a private third-party investor to fund the redevelopment of Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

“It’s vital for both the city and the region that Headingley continues to host high-class international and domestic sport. With the tight timescales which are involved for this work to begin, this route offers the best and most viable option moving forward. As part of this agreement, the cost of financing the development will be met by both the rugby and cricket clubs at no cost to the tax-payer.

“Headingley is a historic sporting venue recognised around the world. In hosting top-class matches it brings a large international profile and significant economic benefits to Leeds and the wider region. The impact of having elite sports men and women playing at Headingley is also in many ways bigger than the sports themselves. The power they have as role models to inspire young people in our communities cannot be underestimated and neither is the ability through their success from a personal and team perspective to instil great pride in our city.”