COVENTRY City Council leader Coun George Duggins described Wasps going into administration as ‘desperately sad’ during today’s Coventry City Council meeting.
The club released a statement yesterday confirming the administration, meaning around 167 staff, players and coaches have lost their jobs and been made redundant.
At today’s council meeting, Coun Duggins said: “The company that operates the CBS Arena has successfully secured an extension to a notice to enter administration, meaning the facility could remain open.
Coun Duggins said this would be a two-week extension, meaning that planned exhibitions and conferences can go ahead and the Coventry City football matches and the Rugby League World Cup games will also be able to continue as planned.
He added he ‘sincerely hopes’ that a buyer can be found during this extension, describing the Arena as a ‘catalyst for regeneration in the north of the city and a ‘successful business that makes a significant contribution to this city’s economy.’
“I am fairly confident we will get an owner that will take the arena forward.”
There have been concerns whether the Sky Blues would continue to play at the Arena, but Coun Duggins said he ‘didn’t believe anyone who takes over the arena would consider saying goodbye to the football club.’
“Our interest in the Arena has always been in the multi-purpose venue which we own the freehold of.
Coun Duggins added that the Council was never interested in ‘staving off the administration of Wasps or bailing them out.’
“Our interest is and remains ensuring the multi-purpose complex remained open to allow the normal day-to-day business to continue and that the football club can continue to play there.”
Coun Duggins added the council will continue to talk to those directly affected until the uncertainty facing the Arena is resolved.
