Oldham Athletic’s new stadium gets go-ahead

04 August 2009 | Posted in Infrastructure, Soccer | By Adam Fraser

Oldham Athletic have agreed on plans for a new stadium and community facilities at a 30-acre site that will see the club leave its Boundary Park home.

Oldham have played at Boundary Park for more than 100 years, first appearing at the ground in 1904. The club originally intended to redevelop the stadium, but will now build a new home, which will cost US$33.9 million.

"We haven't taken the decision to leave Boundary Park lightly – it was our preferred option to redevelop it – but the credit crunch means the land value and market conditions have diminished to an extent that makes that scheme no longer economically viable," said Simon Corney, managing director of Oldham Athletic. "In its current state Oldham Athletic is dying. Our revenue fell 20 per cent again last year and we're now attracting attendances on a par with many League 2 clubs. This new vision gives us an opportunity to provide a facility that will create new revenue streams to make the club financially viable and self-sustaining, while also giving supporters a superior matchday experience."

The club expects to sign a 24-month conditional development agreement to undertake construction work on the land owned by Oldham Council. Upon completion, the club will then sign a long-term lease with the local authority.