Stadium 'must be kept for sport use'

CABINET ARE QUIZZED OVER POSSIBLE SALE OF THE SHAY

- By JOHN GREENWOOD

ANY disposal of Calderdale's main sports stadium must include a restrictive covenant that it must be maintained for sporting use in the future.

But non-sporting use of The Shay Stadium at Halifax by non-sporting groups would be up to any new owner or operator to consider, says a senior councillor.

Questions about the potential sale of The Shay, which is home to the town's professional sports clubs, football's FC Halifax Town and rugby league's Halifax Panthers, were raised at Calderdale Council Cabinet's public question time.

The senior councillors are expected to consider the issue again - in spring they supported a potential sale to another sports chief, Ken Davy, owner of rugby league's Huddersfield Giants when they next meet in November.

Taking the decision in March they expressed support for such a covenant as part of a sale.