Hull KR’s new North Stand hit by further delay
Hull Kingston Rovers have issued a statement hinting at further delays to the ongoing redevelopment process at MS3 Craven Park.
Work on the proposed new North Stand at the stadium has seemingly ground to a halt, with Rovers chairman Neil Hudgell hinting at the weekend that the new develpment is desperately needed in order to keep the club viable as top-flight outfit.
“Our club have always been honest about our finances, too honest maybe if truth be known,” Hudgell told the Hull Daily Mail.
“We will make another loss in our next accounts and as I have said before, we will continue to do that until we have better facilities.
“That has always been our choice, as a board we underwrite that. However, there has to be light at the end of the tunnel for us, and I can’t imagine we will have an appetite to do that beyond the end of this year though. I certainly haven’t, so we must see realisation of these plans.”
However, following a meeting with representatives from Hull City Council on Monday, Rovers issued a statement which implies things did not go well.
There is also a subtle hint that moving to the KC and sharing with Hull FC may well form part of the club’s future.
The statement reads:
“The club can confirm that they have held further talks this morning with the Leader of Hull City Council, Steve Brady, and East Hull MP, Karl Turner, with reference to the North Stand development in light of the news of further delays in the start date for building works to commence.
“There was plenty of positive dialogue and talks will remain ongoing between the club and the council in the immediate future with the aim being to move matters on as quickly as possible.
“The club remain committed to developing MS3 Craven Park in the long-term but until there are some definitives in place with a start date for the North Stand, all viable options will be actively explored.
“Fans can be assured we share their frustrations and any decisions that are made will be in full consultation with them and in the best interests of the long term sustainability of the club.”
Three target dates for the building work to begin have now passed. These were last June, then November and finally last month.
Finding funding still seems to be the main stumbling block, with an error in costing reported in local media as a reason for initial delays. The project is also awaiting money from the European Regional Development Fund.
Leader of Hull City Council, Steve Brady, is confident that the stand will be built though and poured scorn on the idea of the Robins being tenants at the KC as absurd.
“The idea of Hull KR playing at the KC Stadium is just nonsense,” he said.
“The fans will never have it and it will simply not happen. The North Stand will happen, we just need a bit more patience from people as we await the European money.”
