English Premiership rugby union team Bath has unveiled plans to increase the capacity of its Recreation Ground stadium, as well as revamp the west stand and north terrace.
A previous design proposal, which was drawn up in 2013, has been abandoned due to the “passage of time,” the club said.
The club, which leases the ground from the Recreation Ground Trust, hopes to increase its capacity from 15,000 to 18,000 spectators under the new plan.
Stadium for Bath, its new initiative, has been launched in an effort to “develop ideas” for the project.
Bath Rugby has been assessing the potential project since early this year, and confirmed it would submit a new planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council following a series of public feedback events.
Bath Rugby chief executive Tarquin McDonald said: “At the core of this sits a new stadium at the Rec and a new home for Bath Rugby.
“There is a unique opportunity to create a destination which revitalises the riverside, which benefits and enhances the community and encourages healthier living through accessible and inclusive sporting participation.”
The ground has to be used for more than just rugby due to the rules of the Recreation Ground Trust’s lease.
While there has been some opposition on the project due to the stadium being next to Bath’s Grade-1 listed Pulteney Bridge, the club hopes to appoint new architects in 2018.
The Recreation Ground has been the home of Bath Rugby since 1894.
Image: mattbuck
