Words: John Baron
Leeds Rhinos rugby club has submitted plans for additional changing and community facilities at its Kirkstall training ground
The two-storey detached building would be situated on the northern side of the site, off Bridge Road.
If approved by Leeds City Council, the development will provide additional facilities for use by the Leeds Rugby Foundation and sporting organisations from the wider community.
A planning statement submitted with the planning application states:
“The building is designed as a contemporary extension to contrast with the existing buildings to the south/west, whilst also providing a link to the sports pitch to the north.
“The first floor terrace will offer elevated viewing for parents/players to observe training and sports matches.”
The building is proposed as a extension to an existing training centre, which is used daily by professional athletes from the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League and Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Union teams. The planning statement adds:
“High-quality facilities are essential to maintain the success of both teams.”
The training ground has been restructured since the Boxing Day 2015 floods hit the facility six years ago.
Leeds Rhinos and then Leeds Tykes moved into Kirkstall as their training ground in 2000 and more recently it became the home of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
The plans can be viewed in full here.
You mention Yorkshire Carnegie but didn’t they change their name back to Leeds Tykes?