Concerns over cost of 5,000-seat arena plan

Proposals for an arena hosting basketball, netball and ice hockey were discussed at a meeting

Concerns have been raised over the proposed cost of building a new 5,000 seat sports arena in West Yorkshire and the profits expected from venue.

The arena would host professional basketball, netball and ice hockey, with profits being reinvested in grassroots sports facilities across the region, under plans discussed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

However, members of the authority's culture, heritage and sport committee said they were disappointed with the expected £57m price of the scheme and forecast profits of between £170,000 and £214,000 in the third year.

Academic and basketball commentator Dr Mark Mills said the business case was "not as positive as we were hoping it would be".

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin told a meeting on Friday: "We had this brilliant idea about a big venue and all the profit would go back into the community, £170,000 a year won't do that."

Brabin added: "If we meet a philanthropist who wants to invest millions in the area – we now have a plan.

"These are smaller sports, but put them together in one space – wouldn't it be fantastic for the region?"

The report said Leeds would be the ideal location for the arena although other areas of West Yorkshire could also be considered, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Strengthen case

University of Leeds academic Dr Mills previously told the authority that West Yorkshire lacked a facility where professional teams could play in front of large crowds – with Leeds Rhinos netball team playing many of their home games in Sheffield.

A feasibility study into the arena proposal was carried out by a specialist consultancy and discussed by members of the authority at the meeting.

Dr Mills said: "The business case is not as positive as we were hoping it would be. We need to understand how the business case can be strengthened."

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