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Friday, 22 February, 2002, 15:42 GMT
Bulls' dismay over stadium delay
Bradford Bulls want to turn Odsal into a 26,000-seat stadium
Bradford's Odsal Stadium fails to meet safety standards
Bradford Bulls chairman Chris Caisley has condemned the government's decision to order a public inquiry into the club's plans to redevelop Odsal Stadium.

And he claimed that the ruling could kill the Super League champions' dream of turning their crumbling home into a modern sports venue.

Caisley said: "My immediate reaction is one of total dismay and sadness for the club, its supporters and the city of Bradford as a whole.

"The decision has jeopardised our plans to the point where we now have to consider our position."


We are in a more difficult position than we were when the ill-fated Superdome scheme fell to the ground
Bradford Bulls chairman Chris Caisley
Century-old Odsal Stadium no longer qualifies for a safety certificate, leaving the Bulls currently sharing Bradford City's Valley Parade ground.

But the club insist they need a modern home of their own to realise their potential and capitalise on their status as world club champions.

Bradford are in the process of taking over Wakefield rugby union club and had planned the new stadium as a dual-code venue.

The development, which the Bulls claim will create 1,600 jobs, had been due for completion in 2003.

Ill-fated

But the public inquiry means that deadline cannot be met and Odsal's owners, the city council, may be forced into carrying out an extensive facelift.

The council are prepared to honour their obligation to upgrade the stadium under the terms of the Bulls' lease, which still has 18 years to run.

But those improvements could cost as much as �20m.

The Bulls' Stuart Fielden takes on the Leeds defence at Valley Parade
Bradford met Leeds at Valley Parade
Caisley said of the inquiry order: "It has put us in a more difficult position than we were in when the ill-fated Superdome scheme fell to the ground several years ago - if for no other reason than the fact that Odsal Stadium is in a much worse state than it was then.

"The cost of bringing the stadium up to scratch will run to several million pounds, and there is an environmental clean-up cost which will not go away."

See also:

20 Feb 02 |  Rugby League
Bulls' stadium plans hit red tape
05 Mar 02 |  Rugby League
Bulls get stadium go-ahead
08 Nov 00 |  Rugby League
Bulls move to the Valley
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