£60m Wakefield Trinity Wildcats stadium axed

Plans to build a £60m stadium for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have been axed amid fears of its cost and timescale.

Wakefield Council had planned to build a multi-purpose leisure centre incorporating a stadium at Thornes Park, but will now look elsewhere to build its sports facilities.

Councillor Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said it would continue to work with the Wildcats to find the team a new home.

He said: “We have carried out extensive consultation and looked long and hard at the feasibility of building a stadium in Thornes Park.

“We now understand the cost is estimated at around £60m and that Wakefield College cannot vacate the site until 2012.

“These factors, divided public opinion about the suitability of the site and the general economic climate of the country have all influenced the recommendations to cabinet.”

A source at the Wildcats said the club was operating out of a 100-year-old ground and desperately needed to move.

“We’re looking to move by 2020, so this has come as a bit of a blow considering all the hard work that had been put into it,” the source said.

The source said redevelopment of the old stadium was unlikely because it was in a residential area, but that it had not been ruled out completely.

The club will now meet with the council to consider alternative proposals.