Tigers scheme ‘will boost local economy’

The club says the redevelopment of its existing stadium site in Wheldon Road into a food store is set to bring up to £150m of capital investment in construction and wider investment for the local area. It plans to sell its current Wheldon Road ground in a deal which would secure the cash needed to build its new 13,300-capacity stadium at Glasshoughton which has been given the go- ahead by planners.

It is hoped Castleford Tigers’ new stadium, close to the Xscape leisure complex, will be finished in time for the start of the 2013 season.

A large supermarket at Wheldon Road and a new stadium at Glasshoughton are both forecast to provide up to £25m investment each. Commercial developments around the Tigers new stadium will also bolster the economy.

A road which would link junction 31 of the M62 to the new stadium will also bring new investments and cash into the local area.

Developers are in talks with a number of supermarkets and a detailed planning application is expected to be submitted by August.

Mr Wright, the chief executive of Castleford Tigers said: “The detailed assessments undertaken have concluded that the regeneration these schemes will provide will be a major boost for the local economy.

“The investment will not only benefit the town of Castleford itself, but the wider five towns area in the east of the Wakefield Council district.”

The club is in the process of trying to secure a 2012 Super League licence with a view to ensuring its future in the top flight.