Huddersfield Heat Announce Plans For New 2,500 Seat Arena

By James Quinn on October 26, 2013

Huddersfield Heat have announced plans to build a 2,500 seat indoor sports arena in Huddersfield, with all the provisions to help fulfil their ambitions of joining the professional ranks.

The arena will boast state of the art sport, fitness and strength & conditioning provision aimed specifically at performance clubs and athletes, together with a main arena designed for national and international competition across a number of sports.

“We are delighted to finally share our plans and vision for the future,” said Heat CEO Eduardo Perez. “The provision of such a facility for Huddersfield will be a great asset for the town, and provide a fantastic indoor sports event venue. ”

The facility will aim to provide some stability for the club, who have been based out of town at temporary venues for the last few seasons.

“It will provide the permanent home we have always wanted and needed for the club to grow to professional status,” continued Perez. “And as part of that vision, we want to be a member of the BBL and compete at the highest level possible. More importantly, it means we can return home to our fans and our town.”

The arena complex will be entirely privately funded in partnership with the club, at an estimated cost of between £4 and £5 million. Perez says the investors “are already lined up and committed”, as they await to find a suitable location.

The facility will also form the basis for the club’s application for a franchise with the British Basketball League (BBL) in the coming seasons, with the club describing initial discussions with the league “very positive”.

Along with the arena, the club will create a full time basketball academy, as they aim to have a complete player pathway.

Huddersfield/Leeds based Architects firm Aedas have been working on the design for the arena, and have presented impressive preliminary designs for the interior and exterior of the building. The club is looking at a number of locations for the arena, and local firm Hanson Chartered Surveyors have been engaged to assist with the search, negotiation and acquisition of the site.

The club are hoping to conclude the search for the site soon and proceed with submitting a planning application that will see construction beginning in 2014.

The arena will aim to host performance clubs from the town and surrounding areas, as well as a variety of music and other cultural events.

In addition to the facilities being built, the Heat aim to expand their operations, claiming they will create a minimum of 30 new jobs and a full time apprenticeship scheme.

Huddersfield Heat are inviting local organisations who want to be involved with the club to get in touch to discuss sporting, cultural, commercial, educational and employment opportunities.

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