Ground broken at Leeds Arena with 450 construction jobs to come

Last week was an important moment for the Leeds as the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s new Arena took place. The earthworks on the 13,500 capacity venue began last week as diggers moved into the city centre building site.

The two year building programme is now underway with hundreds of construction jobs expected to be created.

Modern theatre venue built with green credentials in mind

Once the earthworks are complete – around May 2011 - construction of the Leeds Arena will start apace.

Once complete, the Arena will be a theatre style venue with all seats facing the performance area, with perfect sight-lines and spectators much closer to the stage than other traditional bowl venues. Leeds City Council says that ‘the external design is a stunning honeycomb design of lights that can change colour to reflect the mood of the arena event at the time.’

And, to support the council’s environmental targets for the development, excavated materials will be stored from the construction site and will be re-used throughout construction.

Major new concert and events venue will create 450 construction jobs

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member responsible for city development said: “This is a very exciting phase of what is a hugely important £60m construction project for Leeds. The arena will bring an additional one million visitors to the city, add around £25.5m per year to the city’s economy and create around 450 construction jobs, as well as a number of apprenticeship and work experience opportunities.

“I cannot overestimate the part it will play in helping this city’s economy to continue to grow and attract investment and jobs.”