Football club buys back land around its stadium
30 minutes ago
Marcus White
South of England
A football club has announced the purchase of land around its stadium.
Weymouth FC said it had concluded a deal to put the land back in the club's name after 18 years.
Chairman Ralph Ricardo said he hoped the purchase would allow the club to open a full-size artificial pitch beside the existing stadium, benefitting the community at large.
In anannouncement on the club website, he said: "Today is a proud day for everyone who cares about the Terras.
"Many supporters will have assumed the club owned the surrounding land as well as the stadium. I'm proud to say the club now owns both."
There were originally plans to develop the surrounding land into housing.
Property firm Wessex Delivery LLP, later Weymouth Community Sports LLP, previously held a 15-year option from 2008 to acquire the site.
However, planning authorities rejected various housing proposals, as well as a plan to move the club to a former landfill site at Lodmoor.
Ricardo said the new 3G pitch would connect the club to the community.
He said: "Our men's first team plays at the Bob Lucas Stadium, alongside our women's team, as well as Bournemouth Women.
"I'd love to see them play here more often and for our youth teams to make their home here too.
"We'd like local schools, teams and community groups to use the pitch too, and we'll explore what other sporting facilities would serve the town well.
"Bringing more people to the ground throughout the week would generate income to reinvest in the club and help secure its future."
See also
Weymouth re-hire commentator after sacking
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