Sunderland AFC today welcomed plans for a spectacular entertainment and leisure complex, adjacent to the Stadium of Light.
The Club is in discussions with Las Vegas Sands Inc. (LVSI) who today submitted a planning application to Sunderland City Council for the development of a world-class entertainment complex.
The Club has taken an active interest and role in the development of the whole of Stadium Park since the opening of the Stadium of Light in 1997 including the development of the Olympic size pool, to ensure that future developments have synergy and are complementary to the world-class facilities of the stadium.
Sunderland AFC chairman Bob Murray said: ” Sunderland Football Club applauds the visionary plans for this development.
The proposed entertainment development includes:
* Regional casino and entertainment complex
* Luxury hotel
* A number of fine dining venues and bars
The state-of-the-art designs for the project by Red Box and leading international architects RTKL are both contemporary and futuristic and complement the visionary plans for the transformation and regeneration of Sunderland as one of the UK’s vibrant young cities.
The development of the entertainment and leisure complex, to be situated on a five-acre site next to the Stadium, could result in investment of upwards of £100m by LVSI and would provide a considerable boost to the region’s tourism industry, as well as a significant step forward in developing a world-class leisure attraction for visitors to Sunderland and the north east.
The Sunderland Sands project would bring in excess of 1200 full-time, long-term, highly skilled jobs to Sunderland as well as more than 500 construction jobs.
Bob Murray added: ” Las Vegas Sands Inc is an internationally renowned operator bringing a world-class entertainment and leisure complex to Sunderland.
” The iconic design of the development would provide international profile for our city and the region as a whole, as well as acting as a catalyst to attract further inward investment, making a huge impact on the area’s regeneration and future economic prosperity.”
Over the next few months, extensive consultation will be undertaken by LVSI with local residents, community groups, local businesses and club supporters.
Background Information
Las Vegas Sands Inc is a hotel, conference, gaming and retail development company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, employing over 10,000 people worldwide. The company owns and operates The Venetian Casino Resort, located on the Las Vegas strip.
The Gambling Bill is currently before Parliament. The Government recently announced that there will be 8 regional casinos permitted in the UK in the first wave of licences following the implementation of new Gambling legislation. Whilst a decision on the location of these 8 regional casinos has yet to be taken, confirmation of the criteria and decision making process is expected in the New Year. It is anticipated that the Bill will receive Royal Assent at the end of March.
As one of these 8 potential developments, Sunderland Sands would attract visitors from the whole of the northern region and Europe, thereby increasing opportunities for local businesses. The proposal aligns with the wider tourism development plans for the North East region.
The City of Sunderland aims to develop itself as a significant leisure destination and alongside the newly opened cinema complex, Olympic-size swimming pool and the re-development of the Sunderland Empire; this project is a potential catalyst in the economic development and regeneration of Sunderland as a leisure destination.
