REGIONAL development agency Yorkshire Forward is to contribute up to £4m to the re-development of Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground.
The £20m Carnegie Pavilion project is being led by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University.
Design delays have meant that the state-of-the-art building, which includes a media centre and lecture facilities, will not be unveiled in time for next year's Ashes series.
But Yorkshire club officials now hope the scheme will be completed in 2010 after a planning application for the project was submitted to Leeds City Council planners earlier this month.
Yorkshire Forward is to pledge the cash as part of its commitment to help to raise the profile and investment potential of the region through the attraction of major sporting and cultural events.
The 43,000 sq ft pavilion, which will also house modern hospitality facilities, has been designed by renowned architect Will Alsop, who is behind masterplans for the regeneration of Bradford and Barnsley.
The plans for the five floor structure have passed the the England & Wales Cricket Board’s requirements for test matches.
During the summer, the building will operate mainly as a cricket pavilion and media centre, whilst during the academic year, the proposed development will operate mainly as a university teaching faculty providing media, sporting, hospitality and event management facilities.
The teaching centre will host Leeds Metropolitan University's School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events, further reinforcing the region’s commitment to developing its reputation in this field.
Neil Jenkinson, head of major and cultural events at Yorkshire Forward, said: “Headingley Carnegie Cricket Ground is already a massive cultural asset and icon for our region. When the Indian International Film Awards came to Yorkshire last year the one image people already had in their heads was cricket at Headingley Carnegie.
“Developing and improving the stadium will allow the region to attract more international fixtures, bringing more visitors to the area and cementing our profile on the world stage as a great place to visit, host events and do business.”
Stewart Regan, Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s chief executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to Yorkshire Forward for their support with this project.
"If planning permission is granted we hope to start work on the new building at the end of the current cricket season.
"Once completed, we believe that the Carnegie Pavilion will become the most viewed building in Yorkshire as it will be seen regularly by a TV audience around the world of some 500 million viewers. This has to be good news, not just for the club but for the Yorkshire and Humber region as a whole.”
Stephen Willis, director of finance and resources at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: “This is an excellent and innovative development that will help guarantee that international, world-class cricket, and other events, be held in Yorkshire and see the much needed continuation of the enhancement of one of Yorkshire’s truly internationally renowned sites.”
The project is currently awaiting planning permission with work hoped to be completed by 2010.
The pavilion will also include upgraded player facilities such as changing rooms and treatment rooms, replacement spectator seating, new executive boxes and associated facilities.
Author: Ian Briggs - Deputy Editor
Source: www.thebusinessdesk.com
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