Grecians release plans to improve St James Park Fan Zone
PLANS have been announced by Exeter City FC to elevate the supporter experience at their St James Park home.
The Grecians have submitted a planning application to Exeter City Council for the installation of a cover over the Fan Zone, a hub of activity for supporters before matches.
The Fan Zone has long been a focal point for supporters on arrival at the stadium. With the introduction of a cover, supporters can look forward to a more comfortable and inviting environment, adding to the overall matchday experience, offering them shelter from the elements and ensuring their enjoyment of the space regardless of weather conditions.
The funding of this project forms part of a commitment from the Supporters’ Trust to continue improvements across the stadium. A fundraising campaign will start soon to allow the club to make the covered area bigger and better for all supporters to enjoy whatever the weather.
The club is also due to open an additional food and drink outlet within the Nevada main stand. This will provide improved speed of service, a subject that was raised in our recent supporter survey, the club said.
Other recent improvements include an accessible toilet facility to the away end of the stadium. The club is also planning to install accessible entrance to the shop over the coming months to improve facilities for disabled supporters as identified by our Disabled Supporters Association as priority areas.
Clive Harrison, Chairman of the Supporter Experience Committee, said: “Our supporters love St James Park but there is no doubt that its uniqueness presents its fair share of challenges. The results of our supporter surveys and roundtable meetings have been consistent in that reducing queues at the bars and kiosks is the number one priority when it comes to improving the supporter experience.
Harrison added: “A cover and associated improvements to the Fan Zone will help to reduce queues in the Centre Spot and create a yearround weatherproof facility for supporters to enjoy.
“The addition of another kiosk will help to provide extra capacity, thus reducing queues in the Nevada main stand. Further works to install disabled facilities in the away end, now completed, and to aid access to the Club Shop will help to ensure that St James Park is accessible to everyone. We will continue to listen to supporters’ feedback and make improvements wherever possible.”
Exeter City Council planners will determine the fate of the application at a later date.