The York Council says that taxpayers may be liable for additional costs at the Community Stadium. Work to complete roads outside the stadium has yet to be finished.

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A report to a Council meeting next week says,

“The construction of the York Stadium Leisure Complex is practically complete but with some fairly significant works remaining to the estate highway. The core building fabric works are now complete, with only a small number of trades still working on site to progress the final stages of minor works, known in the industry as ‘snagging’”.

“For the York Stadium Leisure Complex to open to both the public, and all tenants, the Stadium must, amongst other things, gain all required safety and licence certification.

The systems test has now been held and work is now ongoing from that in order to finalise the safety certificate and safety documentation.

There are likely to be a number of financial issues and settlement of claims to resolve after the stadium is completed, that will take a number of months to resolve and these may result in some financial impact to the Council.

There are also a number of other COVID related matters to finalise however opening is still expected across the stadium and leisure site in autumn 2020”.

These comments help to explain the media comment last week which said that a York City match scheduled for next week (v Chorley on 6^th October) could not take place at the stadium.

Leaving COVID restrictions aside, there is some speculation about whether Bootham Crescent can be brought back into use as it also needs to have a up to date safety certificate.

After a successful final friendly match yesterday (a 0-3 success at Notts County), City face a trip to Warrington on 3^rd October.  Spectators are not allowed at matches in Warrington at present (click)

Such restrictions are also likely to apply in York at the scheduled beginning of the National League North (NLN) season, with some clubs planning to “stream” matches to supporters. Such a facility requires the agreement of the broadcast license holder and of the football authorities.

We understand that Clubs have not as yet received confirmation from the government that the lost income, from playing behind closed doors matches, would be refunded.  In the NLN, clubs with part time players are only liable for wages after the first game of the season has been played. So clarification is now urgently required (York City have a full time playing squad).

As for the potential additional liability on the Council, it remains unclear whether this relates solely to the floorspace which the Council agreed to underwrite, and which currently remains unlet.

If it is anything more than that, then taxpayers should be told how much the scale of the additional risk is now.

The Council has budgeted to invest £14.4 million in the project. A Section 106 (developer) contribution of £15.3 million has also been allocated.

York City FC will pay £2 million towards the £42 million total cost of the development when they sell Bootham Crescent.