BUSINESS NEWS
Bath Rugby reveals new plans for a ‘ stadium for everyone ’
Following Bath Rugby ’ s victorious court appeal to build a new Stadium for Bath , new plans are being showcased ahead of the proposals being submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council this summer .
“ This is Bath ’ s stadium and it must service its community and that means everyone ”
The club presented the plans to fans at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 6th May at the final game of the 2022 / 23 Gallagher Premiership season in the first of three scheduled public consultations . Bath Rugby ’ s vision is ‘ to create world-class facilities for elite men ’ s and women ’ s rugby , an outstanding fan experience , drive community and sporting participation and deliver a regenerated riverside that everyone can enjoy while contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of the city ’.
Bath Rugby said , “ The key objectives for us as we revised the approach to redevelop The Rec were :
• An 18,000 capacity stadium with world class facilities
• No under pitch car park
• Heights of the stands reduced ( now 6m lower than previous designs )
• Premium riverside hospitality and non-matchday usage
• A regenerated riverside , new destination , café , stadium tour
• Community use of pitch
• Education spaces and a permanent home for Bath Rugby Foundation
“ Our design has been guided by many considerations however six key principles sit above all else :
• The stadium must be iconic , yet sensitive
• It must create the best possible matchday experience for loyal fans and visitors
• It must be commercially viable
• It needs to be environmentally sustainable
• A regenerated riverside , new destination , café , stadium tour
• The stadium is not an island its development needs to enhance the riverside
• This is Bath ’ s stadium and it must service its community – that means everyone
To see the plans in full check out the digital consultation via the Bath Rugby website . Go to : www . bathrugby . com / stadium-for-bath /
We asked a few locals for their thoughts on the plans ...
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Dave Dixon , Bath resident and previous Chair of Bath Recreation Ground Trust , said , “ This is the combination of many years ’ worth of work to ensure a world class stadium for rugby but also a facility which will benefit all residents of Bath and the surrounding area . The design is exceptional and the club have clearly taken into account many views of stakeholders from across the city . It ’ s good news for Bath that the club is now so close to submitting its planning application .”
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Sian Swift is a Bath resident and lives a stone ’ s throw from the recreation ground . She said , “ I ’ m very excited about the new plans . I believe the new design will complement and enhance the city centre and become an attraction in itself .”
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Amanda Jones , Director of Sales , DoubleTree by Hilton Bath City , said , “ There is a real buzz in the hotel when the rugby is in town . We see a definite uplift in residential and non residential guests and we can all hear how the game is going at the Rec from the noise of the crowd . The plans are great for the city and are a modern interpretation of the existing ground . The new facility will drive revenue to the hotel outside of matchdays .”
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Henry Madders , an avid Bath Rugby fan , said , “ As a season ticket holder , I can ’ t wait for the new stadium . Matchdays are always a social affair with a group of us heading into Bath for food and drinks pre / post-game . The new riverside development will be great for the city . I ’ m looking forward to heading down there to soak up the atmosphere next to the river which boasts one of the best views in the world .”
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“ The rugby home fixtures are a great addition to our coffee shop and bakery business and the plans for the new stadium are exciting . The rugby being in the centre of the city creates additional footfall to the area and the whole of Bath . It ’ s also great when we get the evening games which we often open late for . There ’ s always a fun atmosphere on match days that lifts people ’ s moods and is great for morale .” Poppy Powell , Pulteney Bridge Coffee .
6 www . tbebathandsomerset . co . uk