Bath Rugby bare designs of home rejig plans

Article posted by Coliseum, May 15^th, 2023

Image: Bath Rugby

The professional rugby union club Bath Rugby has revealed its new designs to the public for the proposed redevelopment of the current stadium at The Recreation Ground in Bath, England (UK).

‘BATH ECHO’ stated that the plans were revealed at the rugby club’s final home game against the Premiership Rugby team Saracens Rugby Club on May 6^th.

The Bath Rugby is a professional rugby union club in Bath, Somerset, England (UK). They play in Premiership Rugby, England’s top division of rugby. Founded in 1865 as the Bath Football Club, since 1894 the club has played at the Recreation Ground in the City Centre.

The 14,509-capacity The Recreation Ground is a large open space in the center of Bath, England (UK), next to the River Avon, which is available to be used by permission from The Recreation Ground Trust for recreational purposes by the public at large but particularly the people of Bath and those living in the surrounding areas.

‘BATH ECHO’ further stated that there will be another public consultation on May 18^th, 3 pm-7 pm at the First Office Suite, South Stand, The Recreation Ground.

Stakeholder and public feedback obtained during previous consultations have influenced the new stadium design, which the club plans to submit to the Bath and North East Somerset Council (BNES) this Summer.

The Bath and North East Somerset Council is the local Council for the district of Bath and North East Somerset in Somerset, England (UK). It is a unitary authority, with the powers and functions of a non-Metropolitan County and District Council combined. The Council consists of 59 councilors: Twenty eight (28) from Bath, eight from Midsomer Norton and Radstock (towns in England), six from Keynsham (town in England), and 17 from other areas.

As part of the redevelopment, the public riverside space to the West of The Recreation Ground will be widened, creating a more inviting and usable space, on matchdays and non-matchdays, and the structure itself will allow for greater community use.

Sustainability and environmentally friendly materials are also key to the new proposals.

The proposed capacity of the stadium will increase to 18,000, with increased provision for accessibility needs, as well as providing a new permanent home for the Bath Rugby Foundation charity.

Said Tarquin McDonald, Bath Rugby Chief Executive, “After decades of conversation, we are confident the plans we will submit this Summer will both excite and reassure the people of Bath. Our club, your club, is the heart of our City and now is the time to bring a stadium that will service world-class men’s and women’s rugby, and our community, all year-round.”

Bath Rugby has said that construction of the development will be phased so that matches can continue to be played on The Recreation Ground.

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