This is what the York Community Stadium looks like right now
You can see two of the stands, and where the pitch will go.
The roof is on the huge cinema and the steel struts are in place ready to hold the banks of seats.
They’ve been filling the swimming pools with water to test them for leaks.
Safe to say, progress on the York Community Stadium is pretty good.
There’s still lots more to be done of course. The floodlights haven’t been ordered, several of the retail units are yet to be let – and there’s a big mound of earth where the centre circle should be.
But there was general agreement at the topping out ceremony on Thursday (September 27) that the build is very much on schedule.
Amazing views
The main swimming pool and learner pool have been constructed and the leisure centre is now having its external cladding added.
A new partner has joined the York Leisure Complex. Little Gym is a children’s gym offering activities for kids including parent/child classes, kids dance, gymnastics, sports skills and karate.
York City FC has set up a new company to operate the stadium which will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the stadium part of the site.
It was also agreed by the council executive that further financial support will be given to York City Knights, in order to assist with their first team playing arrangements at Bootham Crescent, up until the new Stadium is operational.
This will be up to the net cost of £30,000 for the 2019 rugby league season and will be funded from the existing project budget.
Everything is on target for opening in summer 2019.
The topping out ceremony is traditionally held when the last structural beam or roof panel is put in place.
Representatives from all the organisations involved in the project celebrated the milestone on the top of the cinema building, which is the tallest point of the complex and offers amazing views.
Council leader Ian Gillies, and Cllr Nigel Ayre, holder of the culture, leisure and tourism brief, were joined on the roof by York City FC chair Jason McGill and council chief executive Mary Weastell.
Members of the Buckingham construction team and developers Wrenbridge were also at the ceremony.
Major milestone
“It is fantastic to see so much happening on site with the works progressing on time and it has been great seeing the whole complex start to take shape,” said Cllr Ayre.
“This topping out ceremony is another milestone for the project and excitement is really building as we get closer and closer to opening.”
And City of York Council Ian Gillies said:
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The York Stadium Leisure Complex will be a welcome asset for the city. It is great to hear that the construction works are going so well.
When complete, residents will have access to top class sporting, community and leisure facilities. With new jobs being created and the considerable investment that is being made this will bring significant long lasting economic benefits to the city.
Stadium gallery
