'We should be embarrassed' Leeds Rhinos play home games in Sheffield, says expert
West Yorkshire “should be embarrassed” at the lack of facilities for sports like basketball and netball – a sport expert has claimed.
A report into whether the region would be able to sustain a 5,000 seat indoor sports arena went before members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Culture, Heritage and Sport Committee on Friday.
The study came due to calls for a facility in West Yorkshire that could host basketball, netball and ice hockey matches.
Dr Mark Mills, an academic, basketball commentator and expert, had told the committee last year that the area was sorely lacking in a facility where professional teams could play to crowds – with Leeds Rhinos netball team playing many of their home games in Sheffield.
He had argued that a 5,000 seat facility in West Yorkshire would attract large crowds on a regular basis, and help keep young sports stars from leaving the region.
It was also hoped that any profit could be used to support grassroots sports.
At Friday’s meeting members were given the results of a feasibility study carried out by IPW…, a specialist entertainment and arena consultancy.
It found that the arena could cost up to £56m. It would make a profit by its third year, between £170,000 and £214,000.
The report said Leeds would be the ideal location for the arena, although other areas of West Yorkshire would likely plead their case.
After being presented with the report, members of the committee expressed disappointment at the high cost and low profit margins.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “We had this brilliant idea about a big venue, and all the profit would go back into the community. £170,000 a year won’t do that.”
Dr Mills said: “We should be embarrassed about how little sports infrastructure we have. What do we do for our children who like basketball?
“The business case is not as positive as we were hoping it would be. We need to understand how the business case can be strengthened.”
He believes the Authority should still aim to create new facilities for these three sports. He said: “We either do this or we are slamming the door shut on any young person who wants to pursue any of these sports without leaving the county. We’ll have Leeds Rhinos carrying on playing in Sheffield. That would break my heart.
“I hope you can move this forward. We know we need this – it all comes down to how ambitious we are as a region.”
Ms Brabin added: “If we meet a philanthropist who wants to invest millions in the area – we now have a plan. These are smaller sports, but put them together in one space – wouldn’t it be fantastic for the region?”