Davy in pole position to take over The Shay
Calderdale Council officers have recommended that the local authority accepts an offer from Ken Davy, owner of the Huddersfield Giants rugby league team, for the Halifax sports stadium.
A cabinet meeting will be held by the council on Monday 17 March to discuss a report on the Shay’s disposal.
In early 2024, Calderdale Council informed both tenants, National League football club FC Halifax Town and rugby league side Halifax Panthers, that it intended to sell the Shay, saving it at least £161,000 a year in running costs.
In reality, the running costs for a council as cash-strapped as any of its counterparts are much greater, with the report to cabinet suggesting upward of £350,000 is spent each year keeping the ground safe.
Both clubs were invited to bid, while a limited marketing exercise was also held so that all options for the venue’s continued running as a sports facility could be explored. Two bids have been submitted, and Davy’s is the one recommended by officers for acceptance.
Davy made his approach on behalf of the Giants in October. He proposes a purchase of the stadium’s freehold, allowing the Giants to use it as a temporary base pending the building of the club’s own new stadium in Huddersfield.
He said that in acquiring the stadium, he would be willing to make a significant investment in upgrading the stadium to Super League standards and to ensure the continued occupation and use by the two Halifax clubs.
Davy said the venue would be offered to the existing tenants on the Giants’ departure.
The Davy offer would mean the council needing to find £130,000 towards replacing the pitch – the playing surface at the venue has become notorious. Bad enough with two teams using it, three teams might make things impossible. A new pitch is estimated at £800,000, half of which would br grant-funded by the Football Foundation.
An alternative proposal has been made by a Shay Stadium Working Group, which is aligned with the Shay Stadium Trust. This proposes a Community Asset Transfer, under which a not-for-profit entity would lease The Shay.
Calderdale would retain the freehold, but pass on the liabilities associated with the venue. The group said that it would require subsidy for at least two years, although officers described the submission as “light on detail” as to the income streams that might subsequently make it workable.
This bid also includes nothing on the problematic pitch or other stadium upgrades, said officers, meaning a “high risk” to the council in being asked to continually pay for work.
The details of both bids are unavailable for public viewing.
Both existing tenants have stated their willingness to work with Davy, who is also a former chairman of Huddersfield Town, and will not put forward alternative plans themselves at this point.
Officers recommend that cabinet pursue the disposal to Davy for what is described as “a nominal sum”.
I think Ken Davis offer is a no brainer, as long as the council put in a watertight provision that it cannot be sold to anyone that would change it from a community and sport stadium
By Anonymous