Work has begun on a £6m (US$7.4m) project to revamp the Bet365 Stadium, home of English Premier League soccer team Stoke City FC. Construction company Andrew Scott has begun work on the contract, which will see the stadium modernized ahead of the 2017/2018 EPL season. The work will increase the stadium’s capacity from 27,902 to more than 30,000.
The expansion plans, which were started in February 2017, are expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the new season in August 2017. The works will be the first major transformation project to be completed at the Bet365 Stadium since its doors officially opened in 1997.
“The successful delivery of stadia and major sports projects forms a key part of our construction strategy. Working in partnership with Stoke City FC, this contract will become another example of our expertise and pedigree in this sector,” said Mark Bowen, managing director at Andrew Scott.
For Andrew Scott, the high-profile contract follows a string of other sports and leisure facility projects that have been undertaken during the company’s more-than-100-year history – including the Partick Thistle Stadium (1910), Cardiff Arms Park (1960), the 2010 Ryder Cup Clubhouse at the Celtic Manor Resort, Swansea City FC’s training facilities, Parc Y Scarlets Stadium in Llanelli, the Ageas Bowl for Hampshire County Cricket Club, and Rodney Parade for the Gwent Dragons in Newport.
For the Stoke City contract, a number of expansion and improvement works will take place over a six-month period.
“Just under 17,000 seats will be replaced while the southeast corner of the ground will be filled in. In addition to this, additional disabled bays will be introduced in line with the latest Accessible Stadia Guide recommendations,” said Bowen.
“The stadium’s existing big screen will be replaced with two LED big screens, controlled from a new media center as part of the upgrade, offering a view of all the matchday action for supporters at the southeast and northwest corners of the ground. The expansion of the Bet365 Stadium will create an exceptional spectator experience to rival the best in the Premier League.”
March 21, 2017
