Windfall to aid development
As first reported on sporthull.co.uk yesterday, NHS Hull has agreed to team up with both Super League clubs in a bid to help redevelop The Boulevard and Craven Park.
Hull have been given a £700,000 investment to support the development of a training, health and lifestyle centre at The Boulevard.
Hull KR will receive £300,000 to set up health and lifestyle facilities as part of an expansion of the East Stand at Craven Park.
As previously anticipated by the Mail, the decision to award the money was rubber-stamped by a meeting of the NHS Hull board yesterday.
The Robins plan to build a £500,000 extension of the covered terrace to the East Stand which will take the capacity of Craven Park to 11,700.
The extension will be built with financial support from NHS Hull – who will house health facilities in the new development – and funding from the RFL.
The support from NHS Hull is part of an agreement to create a similar centre at The Boulevard, which Hull plan to develop into their new training base, moving away from their current Brantingham Park home.
The cost of making The Boulevard fit for purpose for Hull will be £2.4m.
Of that, Hull City Council will meet the cost of demolishing terracing, at £180,000.
No planning application will be required for the overhaul of The Boulevard and the club could be housed in their new training base by the end of the 2010 season.
FC chief executive James Rule said: "We are in the process of finalising the legalities of the lease for The Boulevard with Hull City Council.
KR's chairman and chief executive Neil Hudgell also welcomed the news, and said: "It will pave the way for some much needed facilities at Craven Park and east Hull."
