New Chief hails £27 million new stadium

The new Chief Executive of Swansea’s £27 million stadium has hailed it the best regional sports venue in Wales.

The state-of-the-art stadium will be home to the Ospreys regional rugby team and Swansea City when it opens in time for the 2005/6 season.

Tim Howell, who has been appointed as Chief Executive of Stadco, the stadium’s management company, believes the 20,000-seat stadium will become a major venue attracting people and businesses to a wide variety of events.

Mr Howell said, "This is the best 20,000-seat stadium I have ever seen. I base a lot of my career decisions on gut feeling and when I visited the stadium for the first time it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

"I've always been sports mad so this is a dream job for me. I love watching The Swans and The Ospreys and, whenever I can, I enjoy all forms of sport.

"Hopefully, knowing both the clubs well will help me to support them in their pursuit of sporting excellence."

Mr Howell, who was previously General Manager at the Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club, plans to broaden the appeal of the stadium by encouraging business opportunities through match-day hospitality and commercial lettings at the stadium.

He also plans to involve the local and wider community in the stadium – creating a people’s stadium.

Mr Howell said, "I am determined to give as much support as I can to local businesses to maximise their earning potential on the back of events at the Stadium.

"The implications of the new stadium are obviously enormous for both the clubs, but go much wider than that. It’s a massive leap for the city as a whole and is the best regional stadium in Wales.

"As the Chief Executive of Stadco, my remit is to turn the stadium into a premier venue. Rugby and football are imperative but I also want to see us staging some fantastic events, making the stadium and Swansea a premier destination.

"We want this to be a venue for everybody in Swansea and the surrounding area, whether our guests wish to join us for lunch, host a business conference or watch a fantastic home match. It will be an "all year" venue accommodating activities as diverse as educational visits, community events, large banquets and even weddings!"

The stadium – the first purpose-built football and rugby stadium in the country - is being funded by Swansea Council.

Gerald Clement, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said, we are delighted to have Tim on board. He brings a wealth of experience and an exciting vision to the stadium.


FACTFILE
Tim Howell hails from Brighton but he moved to Swansea in 1994 after marrying his Swansea-born wife whom he met at university.

He has more than 20 years experience in leisure management in both the public and private sectors.

He was previously Operations Director for three large health clubs in Brighton and spent six years managing council-owned leisure centres in Swansea.

In 2000 he became General Manager of The Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club at Llandarcy.

The Club has developed into one of the most successful leisure clubs in Wales. During the past two years both The Swans and The Ospreys have become members.

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