| |
COUNCIL PRAISE FOR NEW STADIUM |
|
 |
On the eve of Cardiff City's first ever match at their new home Council leader Rodney Berman has heralded the new football and rugby stadium as another key milestone in what has been a landmark year for the city.
On Wednesday night the Bluebirds will kick-off for the first time at the new ground against Scottish giants Celtic. It is a game that will be a fitting debut for the new 25,000 seat stadium which is the latest high profile venue to open in Cardiff.
He said: “2009 has been a year to remember for Cardiff and the new stadium is the latest in a number of key openings. Earlier in the year we launched the city’s new central library and we are now very close to the opening of John Lewis and the St David’s development.
“We have also just enjoyed Ashes cricket for the first time at the redeveloped Swalec Stadium and the new football and rugby stadium is the next chapter.”
Councillor Berman, who will be attending the game, said that the delivery of the stadium was the result of an incredible amount of hard work and everyone involved in the project, including Cardiff Council, Cardiff City Football Club, developers PMG estates, builders Laing O’Rourke and their sub-contractors should all be extremely proud of what has been achieved.
He said: "When I first took over as Council leader this scheme was still in its infancy and a long way off from being realised. As the local authority we had to be one hundred per cent satisfied that that there would be no financial risks to the Council and everyone involved deserves a huge amount of credit for the work involved in ensuring this stadium could be built.
"Both Cardiff City and Cardiff Blues are global brands and this stadium can only boost their success and profile even further.
"Another pleasing aspect of this development is the community benefits that it has given the area as well as the investment to the local economy. The overall development at Leckwith will bring around £110 million pounds’ to the area, including about £32 million of community benefit and an estimated 1200 jobs.
"There have been improvements to local roads, new sports facilities at Fitzalan High School and an upgrading to the area around Tesco and the community hall in Canton. We also have an additional 1,500 Park and Ride spaces and coach parking facilities and various community-focused sports pitches and facilities for disabled athletes.
"We have an excellent sporting tradition here in Cardiff and this stadium is a fitting addition to all the other first class venues the city offers. Wednesday's match will be another great chapter in Cardiff's sporting legacy. From the Ashes to the new series of Torchwood, Cardiff is garnering a global reputation and long may it continue.”
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
