TRINITY STADIUM BID ULTIMATUM

COUNCIL leader Peter Box has called on developers to ‘put up or shut up’ when it comes to building a new stadium for Wakefield Trinity.

The Super League outfit have been campaigning since 2007 to get a new community stadium built on the outskirts of the city.

But the scheme has continued to stall, leaving club bosses and fans fuming.

Starsport revealed last week how the project took a dramatic twist when developers Yorkcourt Properties had refused to work with the Trust formed to oversee the project.

They told council bosses they wanted to work alongside a new Trust formed by leading sporting administrator Sir Rodney Walker instead.

Now Wakefield Council leader Box has urged the rival Trusts to work together, and wants all parties to sign a new multi-party agreement that would see the £10m project finally built by the end of 2019.

Box says Yorkcourt Properties have failed to deliver on promises made and wants them to commit to the scheme once and for all before the end of next week. In an exclusive interview, Box said he would like to see both Trusts join forces to back the project.

“I’d like the developer to agree finally that he’s going to sign a multi-party agreement, signed by him, the council and a new combined Trust,’’ he added.

Commit

“I’m confident the people from the two Trusts can work together. Now I want some confidence from the developer.

“There has been enough prevarication from the developer. I think he got a good deal when he got the Unilateral Undertaking.

“I’m disappointed there hasn’t been more development on that site and it’s about time the developer said, ‘Right, I’m going to commit to this’ and commit some funding.

“The developer has now had enough time and it’s time for him to put up or shut up.

“It’s dependant on the developer – he has got to come forward and make a commitment to the people of Wakefield.

“The builder has got to deliver. We are doing our best to get the developer to commit. Do I think the developer should have made more progress? The answer to that is yes.”

Box also revealed that he will recommend to the council at its next meeting that £2m should be pledged to help fund the new stadium.

He added: “I’ve told the club I will recommend to the council that the £2m originally offered, which fell off the table because the conditions were not met, is put back on the table.

“I’ve made that commitment and I mean it. I’m hoping by the middle of next month that all these things have come about.

‘‘It will mean people swallowing their pride and reaching a compromise.”

Yorkcourt Properties spokesman Colin Mackie said: “We are looking forward to working with all parties under a new agreement to bring this matter forward.”