Huddersfield Giants have shared a positive update on their attempt to find a location to build a new stadium with Ralph Rimmer hailing the work done behind the scenes of late.
Rimmer, the former chief executive officer of the RFL, returned to Huddersfield in late July to take on an advisory role in regards their plans to build a new stadium.
Huddersfield are intent to leave the Accu Stadium, formerly branded as the John Smith’s Stadium, with owner Ken Davy insisting that it is too big for the Giants.
He wouldn’t be wrong in that assessment if you take the club’s average attendance relative to the capacity with the Giants never getting close to half full, meaning fans are unable to generate any atmosphere at the ground.
That obviously makes it tougher for the Giants to make their home ground a fortress, something that Davy hopes a new purpose-built and smaller stadium could be for Huddersfield.
A preferred location of the abandoned gasworks has been refused by the council, however, Rimmer has now shared a positive update though no reference to any location is made.
Huddersfield Giants fans told to expect ‘something exciting’ amid stadium update
A statement shared by the club, penned by Rimmer, explained exactly what his task is and how he is progressing in it.
He explained: “I was asked by Ken to produce options and recommendations, largely tied to stadia strategy but which obviously intrinsically link with the club and its activities. A great deal of ground has been covered behind the scenes; the work is on track.”
Rimmer added: “My objective here is to produce what has been requested and give Ken and the Board something exciting to discuss for the future. The issues are complex and involve many stakeholders and solutions must be multi-layered and therefore take a little time to order.”
As a result, he noted that answers need to be “well-structured and comprehensive” though he’s confident that “something exciting will emerge from the journey”.
Speaking to his credentials and what can be expected, he said: “I have previous experience of leading on stadium projects and I can assure all that they are complicated. We have however taken really big and positive steps in the last month or so and some clarity is forming; but there is still a way to go.
“This is sport, and so we can all expect plenty of set-backs ahead , both on and off the field, but combine that positive energy with a structured new direction and who knows what can be achieved.”
