The future of the Shay Stadium in Halifax is being discussed at the next meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet. Is it going to be The Huddersfield Giants new home?
At the meeting of Cabinet on Monday 17 March, Members will discuss two proposals for the stadium’s future.
This comes after the Council agreed at Budget Council in February 2024 to stop running the stadium by 1 April 2025 to save £161,000 per year, and to remove the additional annual cost of up to £500,000 to meet the stadium’s running costs and health and safety needs.
Following discussions with interested parties, including FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers rugby league club, two proposals for the Shay are being presented to the Council’s Cabinet.
Ken Davy, owner of Huddersfield Giants rugby league club, has expressed interest in buying the Shay so that the Giants can play there temporarily from 2026, while a new stadium is built for them in Huddersfield. Also, a ‘Shay Stadium Working Group’ made up of supporters has submitted an initial business proposal to run the stadium as a not-for-profit entity who would lease The Shay. This proposal would require an ongoing financial commitment from the Council.
Council officers have carefully considered both proposals in the context of the Council’s budget, current and future costs for the stadium and securing best value for Calderdale residents. The recommendation from officers is that Cabinet should agree to proceed with the proposals put forward by Ken Davy.
Officers advise that the key benefits of this proposal include:
• A newly refreshed and modernised stadium for sports and community use.
• The provision of a new hybrid pitch.
• Access to Super League rugby for Calderdale residents.
• Retail opportunities for local businesses through additional events and increased attendance.
• An owner with a lengthy track record of philanthropy and business success.
This proposal requires the Council and the two professional clubs to commit towards initial investment for a Football Foundation grant that will provide for the replacement of the current pitch with a new hybrid pitch.
The Council contribution towards the pitch replacement is likely to be in the region of £130,000. However, the Council already invests between £30,000 and £50,000 every year in pitch works. The proposal makes provision for interest free loans to be made by Mr Davy to the two professional clubs to help meet the costs of the pitch replacement.
If Mr Davy’s proposals go ahead, the new hybrid pitch at the Shay would be constructed from summer 2025, to minimise the disruption to FC Halifax Town during the 2025/26 playing season and to prepare the ground for the relocation of the Huddersfield Giants in 2026.
Although this proposal is the officers’ recommendation to Cabinet, it is for members to decide whether to accept the recommendation. They will carefully consider the alternative proposals from the supporters’ group.
Cabinet members will decide if either of the proposals should proceed.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“Although major financial pressures mean that it’s no longer possible for the Council to continue the running of the Shay Stadium, we understand how important this facility is for people in the borough.
“We’re committed to securing a bright future for the stadium, with the many benefits that local sports teams bring to the borough. In discussing proposals for the Shay’s future, we want to ensure that we can provide a long-term solution that will inspire the proud clubs of FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers and support their on-field success.”
The future of the Shay Stadium will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 17 March 2025, at Halifax Town Hall, from 4pm. The meeting can also be viewed online at https://calderdale.public-i.
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