The chairman of Bradford Bulls has warned that a failure to redevelop its stadium and create a sporting village at Odsal could jeopardise the club’s Super League status in three years’ time.

On the day that the rugby club learned of its successful bid to remain a top-flight club, Peter Hood told a meeting of Bradford Council’s executive that there was a “short window of opportunity” and that those involved in Odsal Sporting Village must “get their act together”.

He said: “The Bradford Bulls are fully committed to the Odsal Sporting Village and that commitment means giving our land and facilities over to creating that concept.

“We have been awarded a licence to continue to play Super League from 2009 until 2011. But the state of our stadium is one of the principles against which we are measured.

“It’s not fit for purpose for a major sport in the 21st century. We are and we need to remain a viable business and a viable business model for the 21st century requires we deliver to people the standards of accommodation to which they have become accustomed.

“This is the only way we can drive our crowds northwards.”

The sporting village includes a new stadium for the Bulls as well as a replacement for Richard Dunn sports centre.

It is also intended to be a venue for a variety of sports – but the final mix has not yet been decided.

The Council is looking to push the plans through and has recently approached sports governing bodies to ask what level of provision they would recommend at the site and what funding they could offer.

Senior councillors yesterday agreed to the appointment of specialist external support to help draw up the detailed business plan.

Council leader Councillor Kris Hopkins also pledged to get the scheme up and running within the “window of opportunity” about the 2012 Olympics being held in London.

He said: “My aim is to deliver the Odsal Sporting Village for this Olympics.

“We want to ensure that young people in Bradford take advantage of the opportunities that are provided by hosting the Olympics in this country and to create a prestigious sporting venue for the district.

“We have got to make sure we make the best of this chance. It would be a tragedy if we let this opportunity go by.”

A further report after position statements are received from sports governing bodies is due in the next two to three months.