New look for stadium
Designs for redeveloped Big Fellas Stadium
EXCITED Featherstone Rovers’ bosses have revealed the first images of their new and improved stadium.
Rovers’ chiefs unveiled the final design of the club’s revamped Post Office Road ground at a question and answer session with head coach Daryl Powell, captain Stuart Dickens, chief executive Craig Poskitt and director Steve Wagner last week.
Plans have been submitted to Wakefield Council for the redevelopment of the club’s Big Fellas Stadium and senior club officials say a decision is “imminent.”
Mr Poskitt told the Express this week: “We should get a decision imminently and we don’t expect any problems there, so as soon as we get that, it’s all systems go.
“We have got everything we need to put it in place and start construction – as soon we can we’ll be up and running.”
Club bosses applied for planning permission around six weeks ago to put up two stands at the Featherstone ground, which they say will increase the club’s chance of gaining Super League status by 2014.
The proposals involve recycling two stands from the former Scarborough FC to give Rovers an extra 2,5000 covered seats, which officials hope will bring them closer to meeting the gold standard criteria required by the Rugby Football League.
The scheme also includes installing new floodlights and lengthening the pitch by around 15 metres to meet standards for hosting international games.
Mr Poskitt said: “At the moment we’re look at six to eight month of construction, but hopefully, if we get started soon, it will be ready for next season.
“It’s great for us to have new stands and we’re looking at opening outlets underneath to get more community involvement – a couple of partners are looking to start basing offices at the club.
“This gives a chance to get revenue every day of the year. It’s not just a stadium that’s used in season, it be used all the time.”
Original proposals for the stadium included moving the pitch to make way for housing at the Railway Terrace end of the site, but the scheme was dropped in favour of lengthening the pitch.
Mr Poskitt added: “It’s great for the community, the club and for our Destination Super League scheme.
“It’s just another tick in the box and if we can get started improving the stadium, we’re positive we can move forward.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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