Highlander wrote:
Replying to various people on this thread - What is our preferred outcome? If we were to buy the lease back from RFL, it would get them out of the loop, leave us negotiating with the Council directly and possibly with the stockcars paying rent to us - would that be enough? We would be back at Odsal, she's had a bit of a facelift although the bigger structural issues are still present.
Don't buy the lease, just negotiate with RFL the terms of coming back. We would be joint subtenants with the stockcars. This isn't a good option as it's the worst of all worlds for everyone. The RFL want to disentangle themselves from Odsal nearly as much as we want them to.
Stay at Dewsbury long term - unacceptable to the fans I know.
Go somewhere else in Bradford? - No known plans, would take long time to set up. Different structural issues with Horsfall.
It's a real mess isn't it? Would love to know who suggested the RFL get the lease in the first place back in 2012 - Hood or Wood? Either way it was a monumentally bad decision.
Anyway, we are where we are.
If we buy back the lease (where does the money come from for that?) it's up to the club and the motorsport people to share the upkeep of the ground. We all know that's not sustainable - it never has been in the past when we were in SL playing in front of crowds much larger than now. I'm not sure what negotiating with the council would achieve as there is no way the council will pay anything toward stadium upkeep or development. Their budget has been cut by almost 50% in the last ten years. They couldn't afford it 21 years ago so it would seem even less likely now.
If we don't take back the lease there's still the ground upkeep question. Who pays and how much? That would require a three way split between RFL, Bulls and Motorsport. Can't see them being able to afford it.
I guess without any more information I can't say what the preferred option is. They all seem like a bad idea.
