WEDDING GOAL FOR STADIUM

1 July 2005

It won't only be the Swans wearing white at the new stadium in Morfa if bosses have their way. Stadium managers want the venue to be made available to brides, and have applied for a licence to allow the ground to be used as wedding venue.

And already they have received a number of inquiries from rugby and football fans about whether they can hire the place to tie the knot.

Sian Morse, marketing adviser to stadium management firm Stadco, said: "The idea to use the stadium as a wedding venue came up a little while ago, and it's been part of our plans for some time. We have submitted an application, but at this stage it is still pending.

"But we hope that it will be granted."We have already had a few inquiries about whether it is available, mainly from Ospreys and Swansea City fans.

"It's not a typical venue, so I suppose that is why it attracts interest.

"If the application is granted, the stadium - which is still to be named - would join a list of other grounds around the UK which allow marriages. And it is expected to prove a real draw among sports fans wanting to prove that it's not just their team that they are passionate about.

For many it will be the only opportunity to use the facilities enjoyed by their sporting heroes.

But the festivities will be limited to the function rooms, and the pitch will remain out of bounds.The hallowed turf will remain sacrosanct in order to protect it from possible damage.

Anyone wishing to raise objections to the proposed licence allowing weddings at the £27 million stadium has until the middle of this month to do so. But the management is not expecting any opposition, and hopes to be able to announce that the venue is available for nuptials later this summer.

A council spokesman said: "A notice has been advertised relating to a marriage license for the new stadium.

"There will now be a statutory period of consultation for anyone to express objections. If no objections are received, the license will be granted."