Stadium for Bath to host public consultation on emerging scheme

Stadium for Bath is to launch the next round of consultation on its vision for a new leisure, sporting and community destination at the Rec this week.

The project, which brings together Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby Foundation and Arena 1865, hopes to deliver a new community-focused stadium, which will act as a catalyst for riverside regeneration in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City.

Over the past 18 months, Stadium for Bath has worked closely with key stakeholders across the city, including near neighbours and wider resident groups, local businesses, community groups, schools, city stakeholders and planning and technical stakeholders to understand their aspirations for the scheme.

The design team has developed emerging concepts for creating new world-class facilities to benefit the city, wider community and the Club, with a particular emphasis on the broader civic legacy value.

The proposals include plans for the regeneration of the riverside between North Parade and Pulteney Bridge. The eastern bank of the River Avon adjacent to The Recreation Ground (the Rec) has the potential to become a new destination for residents and visitors to historic Bath, with the possibility of improved access to the city centre.

The Stadium for Bath public exhibition will be held in the Ricoh Suite, in the South Stand of Bath’s current stadium at the Rec, from 12pm to 7pm on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th July, 10am to 5pm on Friday 27th July, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday 28th July.

At the event there will be the opportunity to speak with members of the project team, ask questions and give feedback on the initial emerging concept ideas.

For those who are unable to attend the event, all of the information will also be available via www.stadiumforbath.com along with an online feedback form.

Chief Executive of Bath Rugby, Tarquin McDonald, said:

This is an exciting time for the city as we progress to the next stage of consultation on Stadium for Bath’s vision to create a new destination in the heart of Bath that benefits everyone.

 

Sport brings people together and has the power to make a profoundly positive impact on our communities and those who live within them.

 

We believe that rugby can act as a catalyst for regeneration in the heart of the city, providing the opportunity to keep sport, not just rugby, alive in Bath, which we hope will inspire people to get involved, to get active and which will help promote overall wellbeing.

McDonald added:

This is also a unique opportunity to regenerate a neglected area of riverside creating a new space that we can all enjoy.

 

The Rec is set in a wonderful part of our city and we have been working closely with our landlord Bath Recreation Limited, various organisations throughout the city and the local community to bring forward a scheme that is befitting to both its iconic location and its World Heritage status.

Project Stats: Latest Updates

Back in May of this year, Stadium for Bath appointed a leading engineering firm to play a central role in the design of a new community-focused stadium for the city.

Global engineering and design consultancy Arup has been appointed by Stadium for Bath, which brings together Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby Foundation and Arena 1865. Arup will provide an extensive range of building engineering and specialist technical services.

The appointment follows a rigorous, multi-stage procurement process involving a series of workshops with the Stadium for Bath team. The workshops explored engineering challenges posed by the proposed site, which is positioned in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage city.

Arup will provide civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health engineering as well as ICT, audiovisual, acoustic and specialist lighting design for the new 18,000-seat, digitally-enabled stadium.

Arup’s team will be led from Bristol and will work closely with the other firms appointed to design the stadium: Grimshaw Architects, Kay Elliott and Gross Max.

The unique considerations and technical challenges that come with working in Bath are well understood by Arup – its 350-strong Bristol office has delivered infrastructure and building engineering services for a series of significant projects across the city, including the Southgate shopping centre, the bus transport interchange and retail development at Bath Spa Station, and Thermae Bath Spa.

Arup’s current project portfolio includes renewal of the former Herman Miller factory as a new home for Bath Spa University’s Bath School of Art and Design.

For more information, please visit www.stadiumforbath.com

Long-time friend of Sports Venue Business (SVB) and regular contributor, Mike Bohndiek, Managing Director, PTI Consulting, is Consultant Chief Technology Officer on the Stadium for Bath project, leading the technology, infrastructure and strategy. Mike is also one of the many industry experts that will be sharing his invaluable insights during Europe’s first Premium Seat event, ALSD International, coming to London this October, 11-12.

Secure your place at this must-attend event for those involved in all aspects of the Premium Seat sector – featuring not only a comprehensive conference program with a stellar speaker lineup, but also an exhibition showcasing the latest products, solutions and technologies, as well as a Sales Boot Camp and two very special networking events, one being held at The O2 London – online at: www.ALSDInternational.com

Images, courtesy: Stadium for Bath 

Main image (top): The Recreation Ground (the Rec) is one of the most iconic and recognised rugby grounds in world rugby and showcases the City of Bath to a global audience

#SportsVenueBusiness – keeping you in the know!