Images: Lincoln City
English League One football club Lincoln City has revised plans for the redevelopment of the Stacey West Stand at LNER Stadium, with the project to proceed with a two-tier structure.
Lincoln had originally planned a three-tier stand featuring a hospitality level but this has been scaled back, with the club citing the current economic climate.
In a statement released yesterday (Wednesday), Lincoln’s board, in partnership with the Red Imps Community Trust, provided an update on the redevelopment. The club said the project has presented many challenges which were “unforeseen” at its outset three years ago.
Despite the challenges, the board remains committed to investing in the stand and increasing its capacity, improving the fan experience and creating new community facilities. Lincoln confirmed today that it has submitted planning application for the project.
Some £1.8m (€2.1m/$2.1m) has already been raised for the project by various grant funds and backing from supporters and investors, and Lincoln has now decided to pursue a two-tier development by omitting the proposed third-tier hospitality suite. The development will feature a new community skills and educational hub.
Lincoln has also submitted an application to trial safe standing in a small section of the Stacey West Stand, with the intention of installing rail seats throughout the entire stand if the trial is successful.
The club will also install barriers in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand to facilitate the safe standing of supporters in that area. If successful, the investment would offer the potential to increase the capacity of LNER Stadium from 10,780 to 11,500.
Other features of the project will include a new mains water supply to the stadium, investment in power supply, and a new state-of-the-art recycling irrigation system. The new community and education hub would also be used as a social space on match days, as a shelter for vulnerable fans, or as a multi-faith prayer room.
In September last year, Lincoln fans launched a crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising the final £500,000 required for the development of the Stacey West Stand.
In January, a major mixed-use project that is proposed to include a new stadium for Lincoln was given the final go-ahead after the Government elected not to ‘call in’ the scheme’s planning application.
Lincoln reacted cautiously to news of the project. LNER Stadium has been the club’s home since 1895.
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