They currently have two training grounds. "When we deliver it the impact on the global reputation of Birmingham will be seismic."Ĭhairman Wagner added: "When we invested in Birmingham City, we made it very clear we had an ambitious vision to transform the experience for our fans and make a positive contribution to the growth and vitality of the city."īlues have played at their existing home in Small Heath since 1906. "Our owners have an ambition that is greater than anything this club has ever seen," said Cook. The club say the site will have "a new multi-use stadium, high-performance training facilities and other mixed-use real estate development including a range of entertainment options". Quite honestly, one might argue it makes things a bit easier." ![]() We have great professionals that know how to navigate those waters. "Most people get nervous and are uncomfortable with that. "We are an organisation accustomed to dealing with companies and sovereigns in financial turmoil," said Wagner. The city council, which declared itself effectively bankrupt in September 2023, has also undertaken to inject a further £1.9m as a condition of receiving the money. "Ī government grant of about £17m was secured to help clean up the abandoned site through the levelling-up fund - and work to clear the site has already started as a result of that funding. I don't know how quickly we can pursue that. Talks over the sale have been ongoing for weeks, involving US-based club chairman Tom Wagner, Blues chief executive Garry Cook and the council's lead commissioner Max Caller, with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street acting as a mediator. Knighthead say the new stadium and training facilities at the site, within walking distance of the city centre, will create a "world class Sports Quarter" and create 3,000 jobs.īirmingham City Council first confirmed last month that the site was in the final stages of being sold off. "The entire project has been based around the development and the infrastructure. "It's important to note that when we are making a commitment to pursue a multi-billion pound development, we cannot think about what the next few weeks hold. Tom Wagner (right) invited American Football legend Tom Brady into the Blues project shortly after taking over last summer "We have got a lot of confidence in our side and their ability to play out the rest of the season. ![]() "First and foremost, let's stay positive. A lot of it is outside of our control, but that is the goal." Relegation would have no effect on Blues long-term - Wagnerīlues are currently in the Championship bottom three, in danger of relegation.įollowing Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester City, Blues, currently under interim boss Gary Rowett for the rest of the season, are a point from safety with just five games left.īut Wagner insists that if Blues do get relegated, it will have no effect on the project. "I'm going to keep saying it, even if it makes people sweat. In a perfect world, if everyone works with us at the same pace, we're willing to work. "My timeframe is lunacy but we'll look to get this completed in five years," Wagner told BBC Sport. Blues chairman Tom Wagner estimates that the overall Sports Quarter project will cost an estimated £2-3bn.
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