Many great examples of this kind of development around, one of which I was very lucky to be involved with developing in York.

rlhttps://www.google.com/maps/search/university+of+york+athletics+stadium/@53.943851,-1.0549211,260m/data

However, this one was part of the deal that has seen the new community stadium being developed which we will see first hand next season. It directly replaced an older facility (much like Horsfall) but the difference was that this was located on a prime piece of land ideal for a new stadium and adjoining leisure/retail facilities.

Funds would need to be generated to make this a reality but as I've posted before, its not out of the realms of possibility to make it work. We have some prime locations available in the city and depending on the outcome of the general election, there could be some construction companies looking for new site locations in the very near future. That could generate at least some of the funds. Add this with potential partners in the NHS and HE sector then you could have a very interesting project.

One thing I do feel however is that no matter how much it gets muted, Horsfall Stadium is not a suitable venue for a community stadium and add to the fact that any closure of an athletics stadium without like for like replacement would be subject to appeal from both club and NGB and in all likelyhood would be never approved.

Horsfall needs to be left as it is... it serves it purpose as a local community stadium for athletics, football and maybe rugby too (reserve and academy fixtures perhaps).

So what would it take to get this done? Time, patience (lots of it), a will to make it happen and collective buy in from all who will benefit from it (in York it had buy in from Council, Community and local sports clubs York City and City Knights).

This was a project that the current CEO of Bradford Council oversaw as part of her similar role at York and whilst there were several bumps in the road they did get it done (albeit 12yrs on). Surely she more than anyone can provide a great insight with her past experinece of a similar aim and ambition?

From the plans I've seen, the running track would be narrowed to just two lanes from the current six bringing the supporters closer to the action.

interview on this platform with perez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7li6v09kB_o

interview on this platform with perez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7li6v09kB_o

Today's T&A reads as though Odsal is choice number one for getting back to bradford. Personally I've had enough of the old girl. I'd be pushing hard to get the Richard Dunn land for a modest (I'm not using the B word) stadium.

Yeah, I read the article and it certainly seems that way

I don't really understand the chain of events here to be honest. Did we REALLY leave Odsal / Bradford just because of the rental cost that we were paying? Because if we are just going to go back there in 2021, it sure seems that way. What will have changed apart from that? It will still be a crumbling stadium that barely passes a safety inspection - unless a sugar addy comes along with millions to do it, and nobody believe that's going to happen...

Sounds like the pie in the sky plan was to have a new stadium and we were prepped with tales of expense, crumbling infrastructure and boutique stadium.

With snakeoil Chalmers gone it appears either The RFL, BBBBBBBBBB Ltd or CBMDC have shat their pants at the new build plan and decided it was too rich for their blood...

What better way to go hide in a fridge than say 'The Fans want Odsal, the fans love Odsal...we'd better get back hell or high water...' ITS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE!!!

None of this makes sense at all. A stadium not fit for purpose which costs a fortune to maintain.This, to home a team that without serious investment, will not progress any time soon. A return alone will not inspire the masses to return.I think we need a completely new start, a new home in Bradford and an investor to provide funding for our squad. We can all from experience see little chance of this..so more of the same old same old.

IF we returned it would be under a new lease negotiated by current owners, who one would hope would not agree to saddle us with expenses normally paid for by holders of the head lease. So if RFL want us as a tenant in 2021 they would have to think about cutting their cloth.

BINGO!

Agree with most of the above.

The one thing which has changed is the owner. I'm not sure how that affects the cost of running at Odsal in any way and if it was too expensive under AC then it, presumably, is still too expensive under the new broom.

To be honest, I'm not fussed about Odsal - if it's too expensive lets stop pussyfooting about and get on with finding a new facility somewhere in Bradford, and I am fussed about 'In Bradford'. I agree with Pumpy, the T&A article does seem to be pushing Odsal as the intended 'new home' and the whole business gets evermore baffling with every passing day.

Who is mates with Rimmer

Maybe we could come to agreement with the RFL to only use the Southbank and Seating Stand at a reduced cost, maintenance would be less as both are more than suitable and wouldn't need much work.

Didn't the RFL announce that it would have to pay out around £250k for upkeep at Odsal for 2020?

If they're expecting the Bulls to come back and foot that bill and the club agrees then I'm done. I'm not bothering watching the club go over the cliff again which is what would happen in that scenario

All that's up in the air, to be fair, so best wait and see I guess. For me, I'm at a loss to understand how the sort of figures we've been given can be even considered by the new management.

For sure, being back in Bradford is paramount, but Odsal is not, and unless it can be done sustainably then the idea should be binned. I certainly don't think that giving out false hopes about Odsal is the best way to bring out support in the longer term. Unless there is a complete rethink on the lease pricing, by all involved, then best forget the idea.

If Wood owns the club then he certainly won't be footing the bill.