WORCESTER City director Dave Wood believes the redevelopment of Claines Lane will not adversely affect hopes of building a stadium at Perdiswell.
Worcestershire FA has recently gained planning permission to redevelop Claines Lane with floodlights, a 3G pitch and offices part of a spruce up that includes the county association's acquisition of the county council-owned site.
- PART ONE | Council leaders "still open to talks" on Perdiswell
- PART TWO | "A number of councillors" suggest scaling down Perdiswell plan
- PART THREE | City likely to remain at Bromsgrove next season
The push for Perdiswell is being led by Worcester City Supporters’ Trust, the independent fans’ group which is chaired by Wood, with community use of facilities such as a 3G surface central to its proposal.
But Wood is not concerned by having similar provision just up the road, making the case for a need for both venues.
“Claines Lane is a viable proposition, there will be a 3G pitch with elements of community use,” said Wood.
“It is good to see availability of facilities for football in Worcester. Youth teams are struggling to find grounds that don’t get waterlogged.
“There is space in the plan for the sporting side of things in the city and county, there is a need for more facilities which would only enhance the ability for people to play sport.
“The more that gets put out there for people to use, the more it will be utilised.
“I think we can justify the need for Perdiswell and we are working with Supporters’ Direct to make that case.
“Funding streams change year by year, even month by month, and that’s what we are bringing up to date with the business plan now, finding out what is required in terms of playing surfaces and other revenue streams through community involvement."
Claines Lane has been touted as a potential venue to bring City home in the short term but Nichola Trigg, CEO at Worcestershire FA, confirmed in October that no such move had been discussed.
On the options other than Perdiswell, Wood said: “We have been through observations and discussions before, the council has too.
“We have recently gone through sequential tests again, looking at facilities and grounds that may be available in the city. At the moment nothing quite meets what we need.
“Claines Lane has become something different now. A number of teams are lined up to play there and the Worcestershire FA will honour their commitments to them.
“We have been talking to the (county) FA and they have been giving us advice as well. We are reaching out and speaking to the right people.
“We are always looking at options, we would be silly not to. One of they key things is for us to get back into the city and we are looking at a number of options.
“There are a lot of connections with a lot of people and these talks go on, nothing concrete has happened and it would be unfair to comment on anything.”
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