English Championship football club Queens Park Rangers could be set to move to a 45,000-seat facility as part of modernisation plans outlined by the local council for Linford Christie Stadium.
Earlier this month, QPR chief executive Lee Hoos reiterated the club’s desire to leave its Loftus Road stadium, stating that it is “unsustainable” due to its size, age and lack of non-matchday use. The stadium opened in 1904 and was first used by QPR in 1917.
The club has earmarked the nearby Linford Christie Stadium, currently an athletics venue, as a potential replacement for Loftus Road and plans drawn up by Hammersmith & Fulham Council raise the possibility of a state-of-the-art, 45,000-seat venue being built on the site.
The council report has been seen by the Daily Mail newspaper, which reports that four modernisation plans have been proposed for Linford Christie Stadium. The most expensive of these would be the construction of a 45,000-seat stadium at a cost of £425m (€496m/$565m).
This plan reportedly includes a roof that could be lowered or raised, with the pitch to be lifted up to form the roof during indoor events. The report adds that the plan includes a new athletics track and stand, along with hockey facilities, a skate park and other sports facilities.
The innovative roof design would allow the stadium to host events other than football and provide a greater revenue stream. The Mail noted that the project would be funded by the council, with QPR to rent the stadium through a long-term lease.
Other options outlined in the report include a 42,000-seat stadium costing £350m, a 35,000-capacity venue priced at £316m, and a stadium with a capacity of “up to 35,000” without additional entertainment venues, costing £70m. The Mail said the fourth option would be funded by the occupier.
A public consultation on the plans is set to be launched, where feedback on the proposals will be sought.
Hoos said earlier this month that, should the council not want QPR to be involved in the redevelopment plans for Linford Christie Stadium, the club’s medium to long-term future will be outside of Hammersmith & Fulham.
Image: Matt Churchill
