Let’s make it happen
As new stadium plans are finally revealed, and following years of setbacks, we say. . .
The saga of Bath Rugby’s dream of a new, permanent, stadium has gone on, and on, for years. This week Stadium for Bath has published its proposed design for a new home for the club on the Rec. The plans will be controversial. Bath is a beautiful city, a World Heritage site, and any major development here needs to be carefully considered and handled with utmost sensitivity. But our city is not a museum. Yes we must protect it and cherish it, but Bath must also be a living, breathing place. A place where people live, work and enjoy their time. Rarely is Bath more buzzing than an afternoon or evening when Bath Rugby are playing at the Rec. The restaurants are full, the bars are lively and the streets are filled with excitement. Not everyone enjoys rugby, just as not every visitor to Bath has read Jane Austen. But the club’s presence in the city is a valuable asset and one, like our heritage, that we should nurture. Not everyone will welcome the new stadium proposals. There will be concerns over the height, over the creation of a permanent structure on the Rec, questions about the underground car park, about the charitable status of the land, the stadium’s footprint incurring further onto the green space, the addition of new cafes, bars and so on. All of these concerns and views are valid and we will give them space and coverage within the pages of this newspaper. But at the same time we should recognise the lengths the stadium team and the club have gone to in their attempts to be inclusive in the design, to find ways to adapt their proposals to address points raised and to talk to those with a stake in the site’s future, including residents, businesses and fans. It must be one of the most extensive consultations processes ever conducted for such a scheme, taking baby steps along the way so as it give everyone their say. There is still a way to go. After this week’s public consultation on the designs, the project still has to win planning approval before we get close to a spade in the ground. There is still time to have a say and influence the final plans. But for the good of the city, this time, let’s get it over the line.
Designs for a bigger and better Bath Rugby stadium at the Rec have been revealed.
The Stadium for Bath project aims to build an 18,000-capacity venue including riverside regeneration, community use and a car park under a raised pitch. It would be the first time in the history of the famous site that a permanent, four-sided stadium has been built.
Three of the four sides would have a horseshoe-shaped, cantilever roof tapering downwards to reduce the visual impact from the outside, while providing clear views of the pitch and boosting the atmosphere on the inside.
The stands would be higher than they currently are – 19.86 metres above the pitch at their highest point – but lower than the height of roofs on nearby listed Johnstone Street and four metres lower than previously planned.
The South, West and East stands will all have 28 rows of seats. The North Terrace will be lower, with standing only. Compared to the current stadium footprint, the West Stand would move 17 metres further away from the river, creating a riverside “park” 31 metres wide.
The pitch would be fully or part-artificial so that it would have the durability to be used outside of Bath Rugby’s matchdays.
Stadium for Bath is made up of Bath Rugby, its charity Bath Rugby Foundation and Arena 1865, the rugby club owner Bruce Craig’s development company.
Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin Mcdonald, inset, said: “We believe there is an opportunity to create something exceptional in the heart of Bath. Something which reflects the ambition and rich heritage of this unique city, and which is a source of pride and inspiration for everyone.”
A new stadium has been mooted for decades, but as the Rec is charitable land there have been numerous court hearings over the years about whether there can be development there and, if so, what kind.
The legal landlord is Bath Recreation Ltd, which would need to lease a bigger footprint to the club for the vision to become a reality.
Stadium for Bath will be exhibiting their latest plans at the Guildhall and inviting public feedback before sub-
mitting a planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council early next year.
If approved by the planning committee, they hope to start construction part-way through the 2019/20 rugby season and have the stadium up and running by September 2021.
The Eastern edge would be 48 metres further away from the river than it currently is; meaning Johnstone Street would be more centrally aligned with the pitch.
The East Stand would be home to the Foundation and would become a community hub, with no commercial business use other than on matchdays. It would also be home to matchday media and the players, with the changing rooms and tunnels moving from behind the Thatcher’s Terrace at the North end.
Still subject to some design tweaks, it would have a raised concourse, a “season ticket plus” lounge and could have “living walls” and a green bund on the exterior to blend in with the outfield of the Rec.
The 40,000 sq ft riverside park vision includes a paved terrace, spaces for art and performance, a rejuvenated riverside path, a new access from North Parade and a “walk of fame” celebrating the city’s sporting heritage.
The concourse underneath the West Stand would be the home of the “Market Hall”, promoting local food and drink producers, arts and crafts.
Above that there would be a 250cover restaurant with a riverside terrace, plus hospitality options and conferencing or event facilities on non-matchdays.
The materials used to build the stands include glass for the upper levels, anodised aluminium and masonry on the lower levels in keeping with the colours and feel of the Georgian city.
Colonnades and arches would be a nod to the Roman history of the World Heritage City.
Fans would be able to walk from stand to stand under concourses, with light coming in through glazed panels that could be opened up.
In an exhibition of the concept designs in the summer, the idea of a bridge over to Parade Gardens – which is council land – was mooted. That will not be included in the planning application, but a “simple yet elegant” bridge across to a viewpoint on Avon Island near the radial gate is planned.
If approved, the underground car park would cater for up to 700 vehicles and be open to the public outside of matchdays.
A coach drop-off point in the southeast corner of the Rec is proposed, but that would have to be approved by Bath Recreation Ltd.
Stadium for Bath claims the construction period and new employment would contribute more than £10 million per year to the local economy, with a further £10 million in terms of visitor spend each year.
The designs and full details of the plans so far are on display until Saturday at the Guildhall, on High Street, Bath.
There will be the opportunity to speak with members of the project team, ask questions and give feedback.
Visit www.stadiumforbath.com for times and more information.