HOME IS WHERE PILGRIMS’ HEARTS REMAIN
BOSTON UNITED have been boosted by the news that their lease on York Street has been extended – and that finances are nearly in place so they can start work on their proposed new stadium.
Chairman David Newton has confirmed they can remain at their historic home until they are ready to move out.
But even though the Pilgrims chief said costs have risen on the new development, the National League North club have vowed to press ahead with their plans for a community ground.
Newton said: “We are still in the process of finalising costs but unfortunately we have hit a period where both costs of labour and materials have risen significantly over the past two years.
“We still wish to build the stadium in its entirety, but worse case it will have to be phased. Once costs have been bottomed out, we will seek help from fans and local businesses in trying to close any shortfall in costs and we will continue to look for additional funding from external sources. It is still our aim at the present time to deliver the whole stadium at the outset, if at all possible.
“We are close to securing finance for the construction of the Community Stadium, which will allow construction to press ahead, with the finance being repaid as The Quadrant development progresses.
“It was always going to be a challenge to deliver a new stadium for a club that has no assets and until relatively recently was insolvent, but we are making good progress and I am still happy that construction will start this year.”
They will remain at York Street until they move in after support from the council to extend their lease past January 2018.
Newton added. “I am pleased to say that a new lease has been put in place which will give us a little more time to deliver the new stadium and meet League and FA requirements.
“We remain on track to leave the club in a new stadium, and at the heart of the community in accordance with our promise that we gave the fans almost ten years ago, however we will need your help and will let everyone know the extent of that help as soon as we can.”