League Two club Harrogate Town has been given the green light by Harrogate Borough Council to upgrade the EnviroVent Stadium.
Your Harrogate reported that the plans will include the installation of almost 1,000 seats at the stadium, which is the smallest in the English Football League (EFL) with a capacity of 5,071.
While the project will not expand the overall capacity of the stadium, it will increase the number of seats from 1,193 to 2,060. The upgrades are required to bring the stadium up to EFL standards.
A total of 264 seats will be fitted on the Myrings terrace, according to Your Harrogate. The 1919 bar will also be demolished and replaced with a standing terrace.
Last month, Harrogate announced the mid-season conversion of one of the stands at the stadium as part of ongoing efforts to bring the venue up to EFL standards. The club has since converted the Black Sheep Brewery stand into an all-seated stand.
A club spokesperson told Your Harrogate: “As part of our wider stadium development plans, work will soon begin on a new South Stand at the EnviroVent Stadium with the aim of being completed in time for next season.
“The development will enable the club to reach the required EFL regulation of a minimum of 2,000 seats and will also help us provide for the increasing demand for seats which we cannot accommodate currently.
“We are seeing more young families and first-generation Town supporters, as well as first time fans visiting than ever before so we are delighted to be in a position to provide more seats and facilities to meet the growing demand. In turn, it will help deliver an enhanced match-day experience for our loyal supporters and visiting away clubs too.”
In May last year, Town announced plans to invest £3.5m (€3.9m/$4.2m) to improve its infrastructure, with work to include a new seated stand. Town finished the 2021-22 season 19th in League Two. This season is the club’s third in the EFL after promotion from the National League in 2020.
Town was forced to start the 2020-21 season at Doncaster Rovers’ Eco-Power Stadium while a new pitch was installed at the EnviroVent Stadium. The stadium previously featured a synthetic pitch, which is against EFL rules.
