Bradford Bulls remain confident over Odsal upgrade

Plans to redevelop Odsal were first approved in June 2009

Bradford Bulls chairman Peter Hood is confident they will be able to improve their Odsal ground despite losing out on £15m of council funding.

The Bulls have revealed Bradford Council are now redirecting the money put aside for ground developments into other building projects.

"We understand why Bradford Council has had to take this decision," said Hood.

"It may be possible to deliver the sports village as envisaged in a number of phases, but over a longer period."

Councillors gave their backing in June 2009 to the scheme that includes an 18,000-seater stadium, a community sports centre with a 25m pool, a 120-bed hotel and 80,000 sq ft for retail and parking.

But council leader Ian Greenwood explained to the Telegraph & Argus why the project had been removed from their full capital programme for 2011.

"£15m for Odsal isn't in the capital programme which doesn't mean to say we won't look to do something with the club. At this moment in time we don't believe it is possible for £15m to be spent on a professional sports venue but we will look to support them and engage with the private sector," he said.

The club will continue to progress the sports village with senior figures from Bradford Council and our other partners in the sports village project

Bulls chairman Peter Hood

"There are massive pressures on us to build two new special needs schools. The choice between these is clear.

"My view has always been the vast majority of the money should be private sector money into a private sports company - it's a private business at the end of the day."

Hood added: "Contrary to some media reports, it was never the case that this £15m was going directly to Bradford Bulls to develop a stadium. The money was destined for a trust company being set up by the council through which it, not the Bulls, would run the health, leisure and sports facilities for the benefit of people across the district.

"Bradford Bulls' contribution to the project was to be the land that we currently hold under a very long lease and leasing back the stadium.

"The club will continue to progress the sports village with senior figures from Bradford Council and our other partners in the sports village project. At the same time, we will also continue to explore and develop other options."