Saints new stadium propsals gather steam

St. Helens Rugby League Football Club has exchanged contracts this week with Wainhomes on the sale of the Knowsley Road site as part of the continuing proposals to relocate the rugby club into a new stadium. However, completion of the contract is subject to the finalisation of the overall deal to relocate Saints to the former UGB site. The sale has been agreed at ú2.5 million pounds and continues the relationship that has grown between the two organisations since Wainhomes agreed to a two year sponsorship deal worth ú540,000. Langtree Group plc, which is related to the Wainhomes Group of companies, has also agreed to the proposal to allow the construction of the new stadium on their recently acquired site and will contribute the land worth ú1.25 million after reclaimation to the project's funding package. Langtree Property Director John Downes said "We intend a comprehensive redevelopment of the site to continue the regeneration of the southern corridor. The partnership between Saints, the Local Authority and ourselves is working well and the new stadium is an integral part of our strategy." A planning application will be made to develop the Knowsley Road site for housing after Saints have vacated. Although it is unlikely that permission will be granted for any other type of development a clause has been included into the agreement that assures a payback for any increase in land value.This addresses a concern that was raised by Saints shareholders at the EGM held just before Christmas last year that the Club should obtain the best value from the sale. Vice Chairman Mal Kay said "This is an excellent deal that will assist Saints to continue with their success both on the field and off the field in our venture to relocate to a new state-of-the-art stadium. This deal comes alongside our arrangements with St. Helens Glass are the main club sponsors for the current season and whose name and logo will appear on the first team shirts and merchandising." Nick Gribben | Manchester Computing, The University of Manchester Tel: +44 (0)161 275 6966, Email: n.gribben@man.ac.uk