Seating layout add sheen to ‘The Dons’ home

Article posted by Coliseum, June 26^th, 2020

Image: AFC Wimbledon

The seating layout of the Plough Lane Stadium in Wimbledon, London, has been finalized following extensive consultations.

Plough Lane is a stadium in Wimbledon, southwest London, which is presently under construction as of March 2020. Once completed, it will be the home of AFC Wimbledon – the English professional football club, currently based in Kingston upon Thames, south west London. The club has played in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.

The new seating layout is as such – blue and yellow speckled effect around the west, north and south stands, blending to a solid blue in the east stand with ‘The Dons’ prominently written in yellow in a 3D effect.

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‘The Dons’ is the nickname of AFC Wimbledon. The projected opening date of Plough Lane Stadium is October 2020 and central London-headquartered KSS Design Group is the architect.

Andy Simons, Founding Director, KSS, UK, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance. KSS is also one of the sponsors of the Coliseum Summit EUROPE to be held at Ascot Racecourse.

Good progress is being made as regards construction work on the stadium with the pitch continuing to be laid, the roof is on (apart from a couple of final panels) and the ground floor has now been cladded. Construction work is being done following strict social distancing guidelines wherever possible. Having already laid the core artificial layer, they have now moved on to the natural grass stage which involves fertilizing, seeding, and finally rolling.

The pitch foundations are well in place and should be fully ready by July, as planned.

Though ‘The Dons’ faced a lot of financial heat initially, but help came in the form of local businessman Nick Robertson, and a crowdfunding campaign. The Plough Lane Bond which was launched has made a very encouraging start having raised almost £750,000 in the first four days.

Stated Chief Executive Joe Palmer, “This really is a historic moment for our club. Without doubt, it’s thanks to our incredible fans that we’re in this position. Nick [Robertson] always promised to help when we’d need it most. He has totally embraced our story. He will be taking a 10 percent stake and invested on terms that leave the Dons Trust in control. That’s how all of us, including Nick, want it to be.”

Progress is on with the pre cast terracing and the insulation of the roof structure. The roof on the main West Stand is clearly completed and the majestic West stand is ready. ‘The Dons’ say they are firm on moving to their new residence soon despite the COVID-19 situation. What was once a muddy building site full of bulldozers and cranes is now a full-fledged stadium coming up.

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