THE OWNER of Bradford Bulls has set a deadline of August 15 to make a decision on where the team will play their home games next season - and it could be outside of the city.
Chairman Andrew Chalmers is two weeks away from the self-imposed deadline and is currently locked in talks with other clubs about using their stadiums in 2020 if the Bulls walk away from Odsal.
Although the ground has been the rugby league team's home since 1934, Mr Chalmers says staying there is unsustainable and is now talking to other clubs about sharing a stadium, with one option being Dewsbury Rams' Tetley's Stadium.
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The Bulls' owners are also looking at the possibility of using Bradford City's Valley Parade stadium and Bradford (Park Avenue)'s Horsfall home.
Mr Chalmers told the Telegraph & Argus: "We will stay at Odsal only if we are able to do it on terms that are economically sound.
"Our wish is to stay at the spiritual home of the Bulls, but we need it to be financially viable."
Mr Chalmers described the stadium as a "legacy asset", meaning it has stopped being profitable.
"If you think about it you will get fans who say "we don't want to move to a new home regardless of the cost", which is something we don't want to contemplate.
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"This isn't a question about Bradford Bulls,but a question about sustainability.
"Nobody has ever been able to solve the question of how you make occupancy at Odsal sustainable."
Mr Chalmers has not ruled out moving from Odsal, but believes the decision must be taken by all interested parties, including the fans who have stuck by the club through thick and thin.
"It's not just in my hands, it's in the hands of all stakeholders, Bradford Council and the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the fans," he added.
"They all need to be part of that decision because if the fans aren't happy then it is doomed to fail.
"If the RFL don't agree with all the proposals then it's not going to happen because it needs a collaborative approach."
Writing in his weekly Telegraph & Argus column last week, Mr Chalmers explained it might not be possible for the Bulls to play at Odsal next season.
He said Odsal had "reached the term of its economic life", and will need a major commitment of key partners for a substantial re-development.
However, he went onto say the stadium could be a modern sports complex equipped to host a range of events.
Meanwhile, Mr Chalmers has confirmed the club is not in financial trouble after two County Court Judgements against the club - totalling £2,100 - appeared on the public record.
He said he was not worried about the finances and admitted the CCJs were a mistake the club would learn from.
"It's not an issue from the club's perspective," said Mr Chalmers.
"All the CCJs will be settled.
"We didn't mean to do it deliberately.
"It was a mistake and we have to roll with the ups and downs."
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