THE NATIONAL HOCKEY STADIUM

 

The National Hockey Stadium is owned by a charitable trust-the The National Hockey Foundation (NHF). England Hockey (EH) has no legal or financial ownership of it. The stadium was built in 1996 and was very much the brainchild of Phil Appleyard (the HA’s President 1985-95).Up until 2002 it was used to host a variety of domestic and international hockey events. When the previous governing body ceased trading in 2002, the NHF trustees sought alternative sources of income for the stadium and in 2003 agreed a deal whereby MK Dons (previously Wimbledon FC) would use the stadium until the end of 2006 and their new ‘state of the art’ stadium is completed in Milton Keynes.

 

Earlier this year the EH Board commissioned external help in reviewing all stakeholders’ views about the stadium and wide consultation was conducted. The report was completed in the summer. The report included likely financial projections of net revenue benefits of  reactivating using the stadium post MK Dons and the investment required to update it fit for use as a performance centre as well as a ‘home for hockey’. Such investment would be for a gymnasium, cost effective accommodation for players, a warm up pitch, and of course a new water based pitch, though the latter had been promised in the deal with MK Dons. The consultant’s report is available from the EH offices (01908544619). The consultation revealed that almost equal numbers of people were against reactivating usage of the stadium in the future as were in favour of doing so. This was before the London 2012 news.

 

In the meantime of course, the London 2012 bid has been secured.

 

The EH Board and the NHF trustees have had several meetings over the last few months to examine the contents of the report and discussions have been held with the London 2012 team about their likely legacy facilities. These are likely to include:

 

·        A state of the art 5000 capacity stadium

·        Two pitches

·        Facilities for athletes-accommodation, sports science and medicine

 

Although the detail of the legacy facilities has yet to be finalised, the significance of the success of the bid and the intention to have such facilities in London has obviously influenced our discussions.

 

Following a final discussion at EH’s Board meeting on October 3^rd and the NHF’s AGM on 18^th October we have jointly concluded that it would not be feasible financially to reactivate the National Hockey Stadium at Milton Keynes. Between now and 2012 EH will continue to work closely with clubs in their successful hosting of domestic and international events and use the 2002 Commonwealth Games legacy facilities in Manchester for hosting the 2007 European Championships should our attempts to secure these come to fruition.

 

Between now and the time that MK Dons vacate the stadium (likely to be end 2006) the NHF trustees will be examining alternative options for the stadium, and whether any of the funds tied up in the stadium can revert to ‘hockey’ though it is extremely unlikely that any individual or club contributions will be returned.

 

England Hockey will also be discussing its occupancy of the offices at the stadium but would hope that this can continue beyond MK Don’s departure.

 

 

The England Hockey Board

November 15^th 2005

 

Enquiries: Philip Kimberley, Executive Chairman 07836787539 or 01908544666