The MKM Stadium will provide a central role in the regeneration of the West Park area of Hull, according to the city council, as the iconic arena celebrates its 20th anniversary. City's home has seen some incredible highs during the two decades since it opened, with promotions to the Premier League, FA Cup runs and some belting games under the lights. It's hoped progress will continue to be made around the site, with the club hoping to agree a long-term lease with the council in order to develop the area, and planned regeneration will heavily involve the arena, says Hull City Council leader Mike Ross, who reiterated his desire to see it remain in public ownership. "The stadium was designed to be a catalyst for change in that part of Hull and it has in part helped transform the fortunes of the football club. It has given a home to both Hull City and Hull FC," Ross told City's program. "The fact that so many people have been through it and it's clearly an iconic landmark, means it does stand-out and make a real statement. "I know the community in Hull see it as their stadium. I think that's really important. I think they enjoy that sense of identity and ownership that the public hold. We saw that years ago when there was talk of change of that relationship. The public see it very much as a landmark for the city. "I think there's a desire from many to see progress in the area and to see that revitalisation in that part of the city and the role the stadium plays in that will be central. "Whatever happens will very much involve the council, football club and rugby club coming together to really help bring important change that is needed."
Yeah ok, only words, but it's not the Allams involved this time but our new owners. I assume we can take this as meaning that there are constructive discussions finally happening between our new ownership and the Council to develop? Edit: above posted before seeing SW3's link. Gotta love our owner. But I just don't see it coming off. A training ground & academy needs a lot of space and I just don't see the Council allowing it there. I hope to hell that I'm wrong.
On Burnsy now, they're playing clips from the opening day of the stadium. Today's show is about the stadium and what's done for the city and what the aims are for the future.
AP's just been on talking about the stadium being the catalyst for the success at City, how disappointed he was that the casino development got pulled and how different the mood is at the stadium since Acun took over.
They'll never do anything around the stadium, they'll never build a new stadium, they'll never build The Deep ( one of the UK's most successful Millennium projects) they'll never get City of Culture, Siemens will never come to Hull , et al.
Acun's thoughts on stadium development and getting more fans in... https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/acun-ilicali-mkm-stadium-hull-7941201
Acun has a competely different mindset to the Allam's, he is not fazed by the stadium being leasehold as long as he gets the lease extended for a good period of time. I remember Assem saying you wouldn't spend money on your house to extend it if it was rented.
Some people with that kind of attitude obviously don't want these good things to happen. I think a couple on here will be devastated if the stadium is developed for the good of everyone because they're so wedded to the idea that the evil council won't ever allow it.
A lot of positive talk but it's all a bit vague, I'm not sure West Park is suitable for a training ground and academy, is it big enough? Is it private enough?
Imo nothing around the stadium is big enough for anything like that, unless you include Walton Street and we all know that has as much chance as I do of knitting fog
The government had issued large casino licenses and AP got one and had agreed a deal with one of the big Vegas casinos, but the government changed their mind and revoked all the licenses.
Some went ahead didn’t they? If I remember right the council were not supportive of AP’s plans as they wanted it somewhere else.
