A HUGE new convention centre, staging major events in the city, could be built at Chester Racecourse, bosses have revealed.
Talks are under way for proposals to build a multi-purpose centre on the Chester Racecourse car park, inbetween the existing County Stand and the Holiday Inn Express.
Marketing manager for Chester Race Company Robin March, told the Leader that bosses at the racecourse have recognised the need for a centre, like the Echo Arena in Liverpool, in Chester.
He added that talks with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) about the potential for the new centre had taken place.
"If and when it happens it would be a huge scale development, although there is no commitment to it yet," said Mr March.
"Of course we know Chester needs something like this, but the site is lacking.
"Mainly what we are looking to do is to work with the council and to see exactly what they need from a convention centre – we can provide it on a collaborative basis – but it has to be fit for purpose.
"It is definitely something we are keen to get involved in, but we would be looking at at least three to five years before plans are even put forward."
If realised, the convention centre would sit on top of a multi-storey underground car park and cater for thousands of visitors and big name acts from the world of entertainment, sport and business.
"It essentially would be like a smaller, scaled down Echo Arena with multi-purpose use, from music to sports and conference events," added Mr March.
The proposals for a potential multi-purpose centre at Chester Racecourse, come as part of a rallying cry from residents and city leaders for a replacement for the Odeon cinema and the Gateway theatre, which have been closed since 2007.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is currently considering two applications for a new theatre at the former Odeon site and a new development at the Little Roodee car park.