Post by Salem6 on Nov 12, 2003 10:38:56 GMT
By Adrian Warner, Evening Standard
12 November 2003
Arsenal have discussed the possibility of moving into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford if London wins the right to stage the 2012 Games, Standard Sport can reveal today.
Bid chief executive Keith Mills admitted that talks have taken place with a handful of clubs about becoming anchor tenants if the stadium is built in east London.
He refused to identify any of the clubs but in addition to West Ham and Tottenham, who have already confirmed their interest, it is understood Arsenal have had "exploratory" discussions with bid chiefs.
The Gunners are currently committed to building a new stadium at Ashburton Grove. But they have struggled to finance the £450 million project and have set a deadline of the end of the year to find the money or face the prospect of scrapping the plan.
The Olympic move shows the club are keeping their options open as the deadline gets close. And there is even a possibility of the club sharing with north London rivals THFC in Stratford. Mills is keen on the kind of groundshare which is common in Italy or Germany.
"It would provide a great example to the rest of the country," he said.
Bid officials announced yesterday that the stadium at Stratford will have an 80,000 capacity which may be reduced to around 60,000 after the Games.
Moving to Stratford would make perfect sense for Arsenal since the stadium will be just a few minute's journey from Kings Cross. It would also be much cheaper to take over the venue.
The Government is keen to secure anchor tenants before the stadium is built so the club can be involved in the design of the arena.
12 November 2003
Arsenal have discussed the possibility of moving into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford if London wins the right to stage the 2012 Games, Standard Sport can reveal today.
Bid chief executive Keith Mills admitted that talks have taken place with a handful of clubs about becoming anchor tenants if the stadium is built in east London.
He refused to identify any of the clubs but in addition to West Ham and Tottenham, who have already confirmed their interest, it is understood Arsenal have had "exploratory" discussions with bid chiefs.
The Gunners are currently committed to building a new stadium at Ashburton Grove. But they have struggled to finance the £450 million project and have set a deadline of the end of the year to find the money or face the prospect of scrapping the plan.
The Olympic move shows the club are keeping their options open as the deadline gets close. And there is even a possibility of the club sharing with north London rivals THFC in Stratford. Mills is keen on the kind of groundshare which is common in Italy or Germany.
"It would provide a great example to the rest of the country," he said.
Bid officials announced yesterday that the stadium at Stratford will have an 80,000 capacity which may be reduced to around 60,000 after the Games.
Moving to Stratford would make perfect sense for Arsenal since the stadium will be just a few minute's journey from Kings Cross. It would also be much cheaper to take over the venue.
The Government is keen to secure anchor tenants before the stadium is built so the club can be involved in the design of the arena.
