City life: Plans are in place to make the outside
just as spectacular
Manchester City have signed a
£1billion agreement with Manchester City Council to develop land
around their Eastlands stadium.
The massive scheme will transform one of the poorest areas of
the city, creating thousands of jobs as the site is turned into a
world class sports and leisure complex.
Almost since the moment Sheikh Mansour completed his takeover of
City in 2008 there have been suggestions that he wanted to develop
spare land around the stadium, with a new training ground among the
ideas that have been mentioned.
That plan is now set to reach fruition as part of the wider
project, with AC Milan's luxurious Milanello complex the template
for a centre which will include training pitches and
state-of-the-art medical facilities.
In addition, the club will look into the financial viability of
extending the stadium from its current 48,000 capacity.
The first phase of the development will involve a 'market
place-style fan zone', on Joe Mercer Way, the current approach to
the stadium.
With a Metrolink stop set to be incorporated at the Sport City
side as part of the current expansion of the local transport
network, ample opportunity for further development is envisaged
within a three-way partnership between City, the council and New
east Manchester.
'Manchester City has been and always will be at the heart of the
community it serves in the City of Manchester,' said City chief
executive Garry Cook.
'The longer term considerations for the area reflect the long
term commitment of our owners to the club and the community it
serves.'