Source: Team_Talk
Hearts open-minded on stadium plans
Hearts have declared themselves "open-minded" about a potential involvement in plans for a new 25,000-seat stadium on Edinburgh's outskirts.[LNB] But the club stress they will only move away from Tynecastle if all avenues for redeveloping their ground are exhausted.[LNB]Murray Estates, a property company owned by Rangers' majority shareholder Sir David Murray, are set to host talks on their development proposals for an area of green belt near Edinburgh Park.[LNB]The published plans also include 3,500 homes and a major visitor attraction while the vision surrounding the stadium is for Edinburgh Rugby and Hearts to share the site.[LNB]Hearts' preferred option is to redevelop Tynecastle but those plans have already undergone a significant revision.[LNB]When first announced in 2007, the £51million proposals included a hotel and leisure facilities.[LNB]But, earlier this year, the club admitted those plans were too ambitious amid issues with the council, Tynecastle High School and the nearby whisky distillery.[LNB]Instead, Hearts announced their plans would now cost £10-15million and focus solely on turning their main stand into an 11,000-seat structure with additional hospitality boxes.[LNB]A club statement today reinforced that goal while also paving the way for initial involvement in the consultation over Murray's £1billion plans.[LNB]The statement read: "Hearts is fully committed to the redevelopment of Tynecastle and the club has no intention of moving from our current home as long as there is a financially viable stadium redevelopment option on the table.[LNB]"We've already invested over £1million in stadium redevelopment plans and have no intention of walking away from that extensive development work.[LNB]"The challenges faced by Hearts in redeveloping Tynecastle are principally external - both health and safety and political.[LNB]"Our first priority is to exhaust every option for the redevelopment of Tynecastle.[LNB]"We do, however, remain open-minded to any business venture that can deliver distinct commercial benefits to the club.[LNB]"Any participation in the charrette referred to in today's newspaper would not be unusual because as a club Hearts must be aware of any plans to build a 25,000-seat stadium only a few miles from our own ground.[LNB]"Hearts will explore any potential opportunities that might exist to create a state-of-the-art football stadium at Tynecastle or elsewhere in the west of Edinburgh."[LNB]The club yesterday announced plans for a share issue that would reduce their debt by around £10million. The last recorded deficit total was close to £35million.[LNB]
