Cymru Premier football club The New Saints (TNS) has broken ground on a project which aims to ensure its Park Hall Stadium can continue to host European competitions.
The plans, which have been approved by the Oswestry-based club’s local authority, Shropshire Council, will see the construction of a brand new cantilever stand with a seating capacity of 800-plus. This will be built alongside The Venue building, while an extension will also be made to the existing stand behind the Woodland End goal.
The new development, which will cost approximately £1m (€1.13m/$1.2m), has been partly funded by the English Premier League’s Stadium Fund and will ensure that Park Hall Stadium complies with the current UEFA Category Two Stadium Infrastructure Regulations.
This will mean Park Hall, the home of TNS since 2007, can continue to host Qualifying Rounds One and Two in UEFA club competitions next season.
The works are expected to be finished by the end of June, in readiness for the UEFA Qualifying rounds in July, and will create additional jobs for operational and hospitality staff within the local community. The changes to the stadium will see some of the older seating removed and with the creation of the new stand, Park Hall’s seated capacity will increase from 1,034 to 1,600.
On the pitch, TNS is on the verge of winning the Cymru Premier for the 15th time, which will see it qualify for the UEFA Champions League again next season. TNS is the only professional club in the Cymru Premier.
TNS chairman Mike Harris said: “The stadium’s development is crucial to maintaining the club’s status domestically and in Europe. In the past, we’ve had to play big European games at neutral grounds across Wales, but now with the upgrades, we will be able to continue competing against Europe’s best teams at Park Hall and put Oswestry right on the map in terms of European football.
“We’re more than just an elite football club. The new developments will overhaul Park Hall, transforming the match day experience and providing improved facilities for the local community to benefit from.
“I want the club and stadium to be the centre of the local community. We (TNS) have a role to play, and we want to use the power of football to inspire and help people from all walks of life.”
