OSPREYS SET SIGHTS ON NEW GROUND
THE Ospreys could be set for a shock move away from the Liberty Stadium, the Western Mail can reveal.
The former league champions have played out of the 21,000-seater home they share with Swansea City since the ground opened in 2005, having previously been at St Helen’s and The Gnoll.
However, we have been told talks are under way about the possibility of the Ospreys switching their playing base to a state-of-the art new venue just off junction 43 of the M4
at Llandarcy.
They are hoping the plans will be approved.
It is believed the proposals would involve a compact new stadium being constructed with a capacity of between 10,000 and 12,000.
The Liberty is viewed as an extraordinary venue by many at the Ospreys, but its much larger size means the Welsh region struggle to even half-fill their ground.
A stadium with so many empty seats can make for a less than electric atmosphere on match days, and for regular-season games in the Guinness PRO14 last term the Ospreys averaged crowds of 7,283.
That kind of gate in a smaller venue would create a much better vibe.
The bold new plan would be part of an elite sports facility that could be used by Glamorgan cricket, Welsh Netball and Sport Wales, as well the Ospreys.
It is thought Neath Port Talbot Council and Neath Port Talbot College would play key roles in the scheme.
The price tag for such a project is as yet unclear, but the Liberty cost £27m to build 14 years ago.
A well-placed source said: “It’s a well-cooked plan that would benefit not only the Ospreys but Glamorgan cricket, Welsh Netball and sport generally in the area.
“As well as the stadium, there would be a major indoor facility and a multi-storey car park.
“The funding would be shared and come from a variety of sources.
“It’s hugely exciting if it comes off. My understanding is Glamorgan could use it for academy purposes and possibly play some games there, while Welsh Netball could base their headquarters there and also play matches. Sport Wales could use it as a development centre.
“The proposals still have to go through the planning stage. But it would be built on land marked for development and there’s a belief it will happen.”
The source continued: “The Liberty is a great venue but it’s probably a bit big for the Ospreys at this point.
“You only have to look at Glasgow. They attract 7,500 supporters into quite a compact stadium at Scotstoun and everybody says the atmosphere is brilliant.
“But when the Ospreys have the same sort of crowd people say the experience is flat.”
The Ospreys would also be more in control of commercial income when they are playing.
“Switching to a new ground would give them total control of matchday revenue as well as potentially making for a better atmosphere,” we were told.
“It makes a lot of sense.”