£4.2m sports arena planned for Leicester

Capital's been told the new £4.2m sports arena planned for Leicester will pretty much save Leicester Riders basketball team.

The club's been without a permanent base for 14 years.

If it gets the go ahead in November, it'll be ready this time next year.

Leicester Riders' Director Kevin Routledge said:

"We are absolutely delighted that this much needed project has finally got the go-ahead, after a lot of hard work and reviews with our partners.

"The need for a community sports facility in the city has been well established, and Riders can finally have a long term home again in the city. We will be able to bring under one roof the participation, talent and elite programmes, male and female, of the Riders, who are by membership the second largest club in the country, as well as the oldest established club, and the current BBL Cup holders, and Women's National Playoff Champions."

2,000 Capacity

The club, with 2,000 seats, will use it for games and training but most of the time it'll be open to other sports teams, schools and colleges.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said:

'The development of this new arena would bring huge benefits to Leicester. It would provide a permanent city home for the Leicester Riders and Leicester Cobras, as well as greatly-needed facilities for the students of Leicester College, local schools and other young people.'