Chris Waugh has provided clarity on where Newcastle United stand with their long-term infrastructure projects following the appointment of new CEO David Hopkinson.
Responding to a fan question on Tuesday’s Q&A
, Waugh said Hopkinson is now responsible for overseeing stadium and training-ground developments, but cautioned that the Canadian executive has only just begun his role and will first enter a period of “listening and learning.”Despite the delay in final decisions, planning work has continued
in the background. At Benton, Newcastle have secured council approval for an expansion to provide more office space and communal facilities. That project is considered a short-term measure, however, with a modern, purpose-built training complex still several years away from becoming a reality.
The club has narrowed potential sitesdown to a handful, with an ambition for the facility to eventually host men’s, women’s, and academy operations, though no final decision has been made on whether all of them will share the same base.
On the question of St James’ Park, according to Waugh, Newcastle’s owners remain undecided between redeveloping the existing ground and building a “super stadium” from the ground on the neighboring Leazes Park site.
Although the latter is thought to be the more likely long-term outcome, Waugh stressed that PIF are proceeding with caution. Given the financial implications of either option, progress has been deliberately slow to avoid any mistakes.
Hopkinson is expected to accelerate the process, but any final call will rest with PIF ownership.
