Leicester Tigers say they would like to see improvements in Nelson Mandela Park as they press ahead with their own plans to redevelop Welford Road.
The rugby club has recently announced a deal with developers that will finally see a hotel built on the Granby Halls car park as part of the long planned scheme to revamp the ground.
However Tigers bosses say they are also in talks with Leicester City Council which manages the park on the other side of the road and how it could be enhanced to improve access to the stadium.
The club has produced a fly-though computer generated video of its hotel plans which shows a new landscaped pedestrian approach to the ground running through the park.
It would cross an area of green space currently used as a rugby pitch and would form a route through the centre as an alternative to the existing path round the edge.
Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby initially described that element of the £22 million scheme as ‘an architect’s flight of fancy’.
However the club has not ruled out trying to secure some changes in the park
Duncan Green, of consultants Pick Everard who are leading the club’s hotel project, told Leicestershire Live: “We would like to see improvements in Nelson Mandela Park which would improve access to the ground.
“It is something we would like to talk to Leicester City Council about.”
He said the club also hopes there could be work carried out to revamp Lancaster Road as it approached the rugby ground.
He said: “There is a massive opportunity to improve all this area.
“The hotel will be a real catalyst for continued investment in terms of urban regeneration.”
Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said the proposals for Nelson Mandela Park were ‘with the council.’
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What the mayor says
Sir Peter said he would not rule out changes in the park but said: “I would need a lot of persuading.
“Of course I would be happy to talk (to the club) about any changes but it is a well used park and any alterations would have to respect the green space and they would have to be sensitive to the surrounding area.”
If Tigers get planning permission for the 183 room hotel, business centre, retail and lobby areas opening on to a flexible fan zone and public open space alongside a fitness suite, restaurant and fifth-floor 'sky bar', work could commence on the scheme next year.
The club also intends to build a new multi-storey car park.
Granby Halls was formerly home to a long-demolished leisure complex and now serves as surface level NCP car park.
