City of York Council has appointed  a consortium led by leisure operator Greenwich Leisure Ltd as the preferred bidder to deliver the York community stadium and leisure complex  in the Monks Cross area.

Work is now set to start on building the all-seater stadium and leisure complex in the spring making it a leading leisure destination for the North of England in two years time.

It is not yet known which contractor will build the project, although Carillion, Barr and ISG have been looking at the project.

Cllr James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “The complex will provide a brand new home for York City Football Club and York City Knights RLFC with high-quality hospitality and conferencing facilities.”

The leisure complex will also provide a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a new sports hall facility and 100-station gym with dance and spinning studios under the one roof.

There will also be three, 3G five-a-side pitches to support community initiatives and encouraging sport participation for all ages.

Alexander added: “The commercial element provides the vast majority of the funding for the extensive community facilities.

“We are creating a leading family leisure destination in the North of England and are doing so with minimal impact to the public purse by leveraging £5 of commercial investment for every £1 of council spend.”

Work was originally planned to start this year, but the delay in construction was blamed on the discovery of great crested newts at the site and procurement problems.

The recommendation to proceed with GLL will be taken to the council’s Cabinet on 9 September  seeking approval to proceed.