A CHAMPIONSHIP club is combining with two other top sports clubs in a huge redevelopment that includes a new stadium and arena.
The High Court finally gave the go-ahead for the multi-million pound revamp after SEVEN YEARS of wrangling.
Now the organisation behind the scheme is promising facilities good enough for “major finals and European games”.
Bristol Sport embraces three huge clubs as part of its remit to boost the city’s sporting facilities and credentials.
Football wise, Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter hosts second-tier Bristol City.
And for the past decade Premiership Rugby Club Bristol Bears have also played at the main stadium.
Now it’s planned to move Super League Basketball side Bristol Flyers from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to The Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter.
The High Court has cleared the way for work to start next year.
A new 5,000-seat stadium for the Flyers will grab the sporting spotlight.
But a hotel is also part of the project, which organisers hope will see Bristol competing with cities like Cardiff and Birmingham.
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ITV quote Flyers’ head Coach Andreas Kapoulas as saying the venue would “rank third largest amongst the other British Basketball League venues and ensure our ability to achieve long term financial sustainability”.
He added: “Having our own home venue will mean we can compete at the highest possible level, attracting larger crowds and growing the sport.
“It will have a positive impact on the city too as we will be able to host major finals and European games.”
The scheme was held up after a nearby waste company objected to council plans.
The development is connected to another application – for 510 new homes – which was approved.
And ETM Recycling claimed noise from its plant would affect residents.
But the Honourable Mr Justice Lavender has dismissed their case.
He ruled there was no special reason ETM should be allowed to keep appealing.
Flyers’ CEO Lisa Knights told the BBC: “This has been a long time coming…
“With sell-out crowds consistently at SGS College Arena, having a bigger, purpose-built venue will ensure the financial sustainability of the Flyers and an exciting future for basketball in Bristol and the south west.”
