New stadium will help kick-start town - Kimber

The councils new CEO Martin Kimber, looks to the new stadium with hopes that it will bring a feel good factor back to the town after working with Tony Stewart to help secure the former Guest and Chrimes land.

"The news that Rotherham United is returning home is great news for the club, great news for the fans and great news for the town at large, Having a brand new community stadium so close to the town centre will be a huge boost to the town's regeneration. It will also provide a really impressive gateway to the town centre." Kimber told the 'Tiser.

"At this stage, the possibilities for the development, the jobs and the facilities that it could bring to the community are very exciting."

"There are obviously huge voids under the stands of football stadia and, while the club will be looking for commercial ventures to help fund the development, there is scope for the council and health authorities to base health, sports and educational projects at the site."

"While the stadium is great news for the town's football fans and town centre businesses, the plan from the start was always for a community stadium; something that will benefit everyone." he added.

Kimber went on to allay fears that the land could be flooded by the River Don, which has happened in recent years.

"Detailed site investigation has revealed that the stadium can be built using normal construction techniques to avoid flooding. The current owners of the site, Evans of Leeds, have invested a lot in the preparation of the site to allow it to be developed and that has proved great advantage." he said.