Salford's new home takes shape

SALFORD City Reds' new £26m stadium is starting to cut into the Greater Manchester skyline.

Steelwork and terracing can now clearly be seen off the M60 ring road at the site in Barton, close to the Trafford Centre.

The Super League side will head to the 12,000 capacity City of Salford Community Stadium next season after spending their final year at their ageing Willows ground. 

The capacity at the part-standing stadium is planned to rise to 20,000 making it the second largest rugby league ground in the north-west, outstripping St Helens and Warrington. 

The stadium will be run by a joint venture company between Salford City Council and Trafford Centre owners Peel Developments. 

The company also aims to revitalise the 45-acre brownfield site for community use and to create new jobs.

The structure will include a 750-seat banqueting suite, 12 hospitality boxes, office spaces and two pitches, one of which will be all-weather. 

Work began in May last year when diggers started to clear the site after a 10 year battle to get the green light. 

Salford planners also granted outline permission in November for 21,000 square feet of non-food shop units to be built once the stadium is complete. 

Salford will be hoping a change of venue will increase interest from locals as the Reds' average attendance last season was just over 4,100.

The delivery date for the stadium's completion is December this year in order to boost the Reds bid for a new Super League license which is up for renewal.

See sport for a preview of this weekend’s local Super League matches.

By Daniel Salisbury-Jones