The future of the DCBL Stadium is currently in doubt, leaving Championship side Widnes Vikings sweating over the future of their home ground.
The Vikings, who are currently seventh in the second tier, have played out of the stadium since 1895, making it one of the longest-serving sports grounds in the country.
In 1997, a renovation of the ground was undertaken and the stadium became what we know it to be today. Two years later, the club went through a period of financial difficulty and sold their remaining shares to the council.
Since then the local body has held ownership of the ground, however they now face a key decision regarding it’s future use.
The 13,200-capacity ground is currently being assessed to see whether it could be put to better use going forward, in a move that puts the future of the Championship club in doubt.
Documents released by the Halton Council have said that: “The council’s financial position requires the council to review its land and property assets, and the stadium is no exception.
“It is the right time to consider whether the current role of the stadium is fit for purpose and there is a need to set out a long-term vision for the stadium.”
One possibility for the venue is the disposal of it, and doing so would bring money into the local body, who recently needed to bring in a £35 million loan in order to balance the books, per a local news outlet
Another option could be that a third-party firm come in and run the stadium or a three-way company is set-up between the council, the Vikings and Widnes Town FC which would then have ownership of the venue.
