Leamington unveil design and details of their new proposed community stadium

Leamington unveil the design and details of their new proposed community stadium in an open meeting with Warwick District Council.

The public meeting held by the football club and Warwick District Council on Wednesday evening showcased new computer-generated images of the Community Stadium.

The 5,000-seat stadium is set to be constructed on land off Fusiliers Way, with an estimated completion date of July 2028.

The stadium will feature an artificial pitch to accommodate the club’s various teams for year-round play and training.

The main stand will undergo construction in two phases, increasing its capacity from 1,000 to 2,000 in the second phase.

Approved by Warwick District Council in 2017, the new stadium will be situated closer to the town centre and transport routes compared to Leamington FC’s current Your Co-op Community Stadium.

Designed as an initial 4,000 capacity stadium, but possibility to expand in second phase with more seats in main stand – two additional roofs on main stand.

Artificial pitch for more community use – academy, ladies, Brakes etc. Able for community hire.

Different uses of Stadium:

1 – Matchday
2 – Community Use
3 – Office Use
4 – Commercial Hirings

Serving a purpose at all times

PH explains they’re considering office use – WDC offices potentially in stadium with stadium being the democratic base of the WDC.

Rooms can be let for conferencing, meetings etc.

PH explains that the cafe/sports bar would be open at all times. Three floored stadium, first floor is most flexible at all times and provides a state of the art matchday experience.

Democratic base would allow council meetings to be held in separate rooms, and all others can be used by local clubs etc or used as a conference area.

Second Floor – Office space… would be locked as WDC. Riverside house is falling down and renting from Warwick County Council costs a lot. If WDC don’t take it on, it can still be taken on as offices.

🖥 Find the presentation shown at last night’s meeting below!#BackingTheBrakes | #AStadiumForLeamington

— Leamington FC ⚽️🇺🇦 (@LeamingtonFC) March 28, 2024

Underlying Principles:

150 year leasehold
Peppercorn rent
4,000 capacity
Sole ownership
All revenue to LFC
Managed by LFC
User agreements
Revenue stream

Club can sublet parts of stadium – cafe etc

Club would be getting revenue from being able to sub-let, not in council’s interest to squeeze the club into a corner. The council want the club to have the revenue to be a competitive, community club.

Enabling Development:

Stadium a strategic development for council since 2010. JS says he had hair when discussions started! Council want it to anchor the south of town and therefore enable development in the south of Leamington.

PH puts a slide on the history of club and how we’ve got to where we are with stadium development.

Car parking would be worked out as a day to day operation and then a matchday. PH uses Fleetwood as an example of how to not work parking at a new build football ground.

Report to cabinet in June, 38 pages already. Big report published in December whilst design is being finalised. Application for planning submitted in Jan ’25. Start on site at end of 2026, construction period is 18 months and ground will open in July 2028

Twitter users gave their reaction as Leamington unveil design and details of their new proposed community stadium…

@kjwmc7: will be nice to have the stadium at least somewhat close to the main town

@scottlanders15: Looks amazing 👏

@SkyBlueFansTV1: This is fantastic 👏

@LiamWillingham: Looks amazing, good luck with it ❤️👏👏

@PeteRowePhoto: Looks great!

@LiveyCov1982: Looks class 🤝

@benjibrakes: So so positive for this club 💛🖤

@C4mer0nLee: Looks fantastic!

@FyldeMax: Nice ground, glad they’re not going with the yellow mill farm anymore

@JohnnyHQ22: Looks class – dont follow the club much but this does look like it’ll be a great ground for fans.

@john_holtend: Looks class

@mikeseat: The new windmill is a lovely ground, but christ- it’s MILES away from everything bar a few sheep. This is so good for Brakes. 🩵🤝💛🖤

@puffpuff65: Looks great hope it happens

@skybluesblog: Looks mega

@awbuswell: Fair play, that actually looks nice. Will be great for the local area and getting the team closer to the town compared to Harbury Lane 👏

@HeyesBrand18193: Priity sick that mate