By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-12-23 05:54:35 | Updated at 2024-12-23 11:08:34
5 hours ago
Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley believes the transformation of new ground St Helen's will be completed and the first home game played there before the end of 2025.
The region say their proposed move to the historic venue has moved "an important step closer" after the City and County of Swansea Council's ruling cabinet agreed to invest in the project, subject to conditions.
Ospreys claim the move will involve a "multi-million pound investment" in St Helen's, including a 4G pitch and new stands.
Official planning permission has yet to be registered but Bradley insists the project will be completed.
"The stadium is exciting, it will be built, it is happening," Bradley told the Scrum V podcast.
The move will require significant redevelopment of the famous old ground, which is still the home of Swansea RFC, to initially increase the current 4,500 capacity to around 8,000.
Bradley would not be drawn on exactly how the project would be funded.
"We are not talking about the details of the financing," said Bradley.
"It is in place and the council have invested in the stadium which we are pleased and grateful for and we will take it on a long-term lease."
The Welsh rugby club previously announced they would be moving from Swansea.com Stadium to the smaller St Helen's venue for the 2025-26 season.
Ospreys will not start the campaign in their new home because Swansea Cricket Club will continue to play at St Helen's until the end of their 2025 campaign before moving to a new ground in the city.
That means Ospreys' first home game at the new venue will take place a few months after the 2025-26 season has started.
They will have to play any home matches between September and November at alternative venues.
"We can't start doing the pitch until Swansea Cricket Club have finished their season so that is the end of August," said Bradley.
"So then we will install the stands and put the pitch in.
"That will take up most of block one of URC (United Rugby Championship) games before the autumn internationals.
"We expect to be able to move in during November so our first games there are going to be at the beginning of block two."
Ospreys, formed in 2003, regularly played at St Helen's before moving into their home at Swansea City's 21,000-seat stadium in 2005.
Last weekend Ospreys attracted a crowd of just under 7,000 for the festive derby victory against Scarlets., external
"There was a decent atmosphere against the Scarlets but if we had that sort of crowd at St Helen's it would have been full and that makes a massive difference," said Bradley.
"For regular games the atmosphere will be better and we have had interest from people who say they don't come to Swansea.com Stadium but will go to St Helen's because it will be a better experience and I think it will.
"There is nothing wrong with the Swansea.com Stadium, it's beautiful but we don't get close to filling it and the atmosphere is not as good as when we have been to Bridgend.
"When we regularly are having that atmosphere, more people will want to come."
Bradley says negotiations with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) about a new deal between the governing bodies and four professional sides are continuing.
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney was appointed in January 2024 and stated she wanted to put in place a long-term Welsh rugby strategy by June.
A slimmed down, bullet-point presentation was launched last summer but the full implementation has been delayed as the WRU continue to negotiate with Ospreys, Cardiff, Scarlets and Dragons.
Bradley hopes that process will be completed next month.
"There is still a bit of work to do but everybody is working collaboratively and I am not expecting it to be very long before we are in a position to be able to sign," said Bradley.
"The overall principle has been agreed and the additional funding is also known and we are planning on that basis.
"We are hopeful to have something in place by next month."
