Extreme Leisure are to build the long-anticipated Grimsby Community Stadium, along with adjacent ice rink, shops and housing. Planning application yet to come though.

Earlier today Grimsby Town announced their partner for the new community stadium project, stuck in the making for the last couple of years. It’s Extreme Leisure, company known for resorts and hotels rather than stadiums.

In the case of Grimsby, it’s also not just about a stadium. Granted, the 14,000-capacity covered stands will allow Grimsby Town to relocate after some 120 years at Blundell Park, but the community complex is hoped to provide a major boost for local economy.

The football function will be joined by a new ice rink, retail outlets and affordable housing. Or so is the optimal scenario drawn by both GTFC and Extreme Leisure. The entire complex should cost £55 million ($74m) but we’re yet to see detailed renditions of what’s planned.

Extreme Leisure announce 320 full-time jobs, though the economic incentive may not be enough to convince everyone. Some opposition remains due to location of the scheme at Peaks Parkway, in a green area with low density housing.

The whole scheme would take 10 years to build, with the leisure development costing £55 million but, with the housing and retail units taking the total cost to £200 million.