Wasps pack up and move
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English rugby giants Wasps will be moving to Coventry after the city Council voted on Tuesday to sell the club their controlling interest in Arena Coventry Limited, the company that runs the Ricoh stadium, for
£30-million pounds.
Wasps, two-time European Cup winners and six times English champions, are also planning to build a training centre in the area which will end their long spell in the south of England as they move to the Midlands.
Their move – which sees them end a 12 year association with Wycombe football club where they played their home games – will not affect League One outfit Coventry City, who will still host football matches at the stadium.
Wasps owner Derek Richardson made a six-hour presentation to Coventry councillors in late-night talks on Monday ahead of the crucial vote.
"It is no secret we have been negotiating with Wasps," Coventry City Council leader Ann Lucas told the meeting.
"We know they are as focused on delivering success for their club, the Ricoh and Coventry.
"The benefit to having a top rugby club playing here alongside a successful football club is enormous.
"When Wasps played a European Cup match here in 2007, it brought about £6-million pounds into the local economy."
Opposition leader Councillor John Blundell told Tuesday's meeting the Tory (Conservative) group would support Wasps' bid.
"After some initial reservations, and after listening to the arguments and after many hours of discussion, we will be minded to support the resolution subject to further consideration in private," he said.
"If Wasps are successful they would want to build a training facility in the Coventry area.
"They also want to develop rugby in the community, which alongside the work Coventry Rugby Club do will also be of great benefit to young people across the city."
Wasps have been based at Wycombe's Adams Park for 12 years, but their search for a permanent home was accelerated by Irish businessman Richardson's club takeover in April 2013.
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