Queens Park Rangers (QPR) is requesting to turn Linford Christie Stadium into a 30,000-capacity community ground, as the English Championship football club continues to seek a viable move from its Loftus Road home.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have launched a 12-week public consultation for the athletics venue, having outlined a number of options. QPR supporters, local residents and other stakeholders have until June 12 to take part in the consultation.
In February, the Council revealed that one of the options for Linford Christie Stadium could be its redevelopment into a 45,000-seat facility.
However, QPR chief executive Lee Hoos on Friday said: “We believe a 30,000-seat community stadium could not only provide a new home for QPR and keep us in W12 but it could be a hub for the community on non-matchdays to benefit the local area.
“QPR supporters love our home at Loftus Road but they also understand better than anyone its limitations.
“Much as we wish it wasn’t the case, the club simply cannot survive here in the long term. It is the third smallest ground in the league, with little or no non-matchday use, facilities that are severely outdated and no ability to redevelop on site.
“For the club to be sustainable we have to move and QPR’s involvement in the future of the Linford Christie Stadium is, as far as we can see, the only option that would keep us in W12 in the medium to long term.
Image of Linford Christie Stadium by David Hawgood
“Over the last two years we have met dozens of local organisations such as schools, charities, residents groups and the police to listen to their suggestions about how a redevelopment of the Linford Christie Stadium site involving QPR could benefit the area.”
QPR’s response to the consultation outlines its desire for the community stadium to retain popular aspects of Loftus Road, such as proximity to the pitch.
Main image: dom fellowes
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