Rotherham United’s New York Stadium Close to Completion

March 15, 2012

English League Two club Rotherham United have revealed their future home, the £17m New York Stadium, is close to being completed.

Steelwork for the 12,000-seater venue has been erected, the roof is almost on and the pitch is being drained in preparation for new turf being laid.

It occupies a central position in Rotherham town centre, on the site of the former Guest and Chrimes foundry.

Rotherham chairman Tony Stewart praised the location of the site as ideal for accessibility.

“It will help the town tremendously regarding visitors,” he said. “Everything’s coming together for Rotherham as a town and as a football club.”

The formal opening of the New York Stadium is expected for 11 July.

The name came about because the stadium is said to be placed in an area ofRotherham which manufactured fire hydrants for New York City.

Mr Stewart said the Rotherham United board wanted the venue to be more than a football stadium.

“Most football clubs struggle to afford their own existence so we thought we would put effort into a seven day a week functionality,” he said.

“We’re planning banqueting, weddings, conferences, a gym, hotel and pub.”

Rotherham United FC is due to leave its temporary home at Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield at the end of the season.

General manager of Don Valley, Pat Smith, said: “There’s a fantastic future for Don Valley Stadium. We have always known it was a four-year term with RotherhamUnited and we’ve been delighted to assist them,” he said.

“Don Valley’s diary is actually extremely full.”

by Ismail Uddin