MPs united on stadium plan

WARRINGTON’S two MPs David Mowat (Con) and Helens Jones (Lab) are united on the town’s football club’s ambitious plans for a new stadium facility on the Omega site at Burtonwood.
The club’s proposals for a 5-6,000 all seater stadium facility, including indoor concert arena, conferencing and indoor sport, has generated huge interest across the town and non-league football.
Normally on opposite sides of the House, both MPs have welcomed the initiative which would provide a massive boost for the local economy.
Commenting on the plans unveiled by the club’s Chief Executive Richard Sutton last week, Warrington North MP Helen Jones said: “These are exciting plans. I have met with Richard Sutton who has briefed me on his plans.
“Richard and his team have put a great deal of work into this – the plans are not just a pie in the sky wish list but a well thought through proposal which is seeking to enhance the existing vision of the Omega site.
“When a final business plan is produced it deserves serious consideration.”
Warrington South MP David Mowat, who is also a member of the board at the club, said: “These exciting plans are part of a bright future for Warrington Town as we bid for a place in the Football League. There would also be a positive impact on the whole town in terms of jobs and amenity if this complex could be secured on Omega.”
Welcoming the backing of the town’s MPs Sutton said: “We have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from spectators and the wider Warrington public and it is great to see the Towns two MPs getting behind the plans.
“Helen and David are two very well respected politicians and I am pleased we have their support. We still have a long way to go to get to a point where there is a spade in the ground and everyone at the club is fully aware of that. There is no doubt in my mind though that the clubs ambitions and the plans for a new facility have to go hand in hand with progress on the field. It is vital that we progress beyond our current League status in Evo Stik North at the earliest opportunity.
“We currently have the most dedicated and professional coaching set up that I have seen in my time at the club and Shaun and his staff have helped to raise the bar with the calibre of players we now have on the books, so all in all we believe all the ingredients are in place to see us kick on from here on all fronts. I would urge the Warrington sporting public to come and get behind us, as we push to get into the play off places in the remaining games.”
The club has enlisted the help of former Manchester United and England legend Bryan Robson, through his sports consultancy company Bryan Robson Sports. Robson and club officials have already held talks with council officials about relocating from Cantilever Park to a site on Omega South, close to Junction 8 of the M62 motorway.
As well as sporting and conferencing facilities the plan also includes an education unit and community hub including doctors surgery, chemist and library as well as affordable housing units.
More details including a virtual reality tour, can be seen at www.stadiarena.com
Top picture shows the main stand at Fleetwood Town which is similar to what WTFC would like to see as part of the stadium complex on Omega and below an artists impression.