- June 2, 2023
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Case Studies, Featured Articles, Features, Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
With a series of listening events and exhibitions held over the last few weeks, Oxford United has continued to engage with and work alongside the local community as the search for a new home moves forward.
The club has formally announced that it will also be working with a number of highly experienced and very respected business partners, all of whom will provide invaluable assistance as the U’s look to move in to their new stadium by the start of the 2026/27 season.
Ridge and Partners LLP, AFL Architects, Mott MacDonald and Fabrik have been confirmed as the project team working on the stadium plans.
Oxford United’s CEO, Tim Williams, said:
We are committed to building a world-class facility and we believe we are working with world-class partners to make this happen. All four companies have vast experience, share our commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and innovation and it has been fantastic to get their insights and input as they have joined the project.
This summer will hopefully see our hopes and plans really start to gather pace and we know we have a fantastic project team who are totally committed to making our supporters’ dreams turn into reality.
ALSD International 2023 is being hosted at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, October 9-10. Optimising revenue through New Builds, Renovations & Service Expansions is the key focus of this industry-leading event, with architecture & design, fan experience, hospitality, premium seating, sustainability and technology taking centre stage. AFL Architects and Mott MacDonald are amongst those already confirmed to attend.
Ridge and Partners LLP
Ridge is an award winning, multidisciplinary property and construction consultancy, with its head office in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, local to Oxford United’s base. Ridge has been appointed by Oxford United to provide project management, cost management, health and safety, town and country planning, traffic and transport, and sustainability services. Ridge are internationally renowned for creating sustainable places for people to live, learn and work and offer a partner-led approach with our 1,000+ people working worldwide from 12 locations across the UK, including Oxford.
Matt Summerill, Project Management Partner for Ridge and their multidisciplinary lead commented:
Oxford United is a historic community asset and in the hearts and minds of thousands of people in Oxfordshire and beyond. The new stadium project is essential to securing the club’s sustainable future and its status as the only professional sports club in the county. Naturally, as a team and as individuals, we at Ridge are delighted to be working with Oxford United and supporting the delivery of a truly significant community facility that will have a multi-generational legacy.
AFL Architects
As a leading architectural practice in the stadia sector, AFL is delighted to have been appointed as the lead architect for the new stadium at Oxford United . The team brings its expertise and experience to the designs that will provide Oxford United with an outstanding stadium not just aesthetically but one that is highly sustainable and that provides facilities for the community that it sits in.
John Roberts, Director at AFL Architects commented:
21st Century stadium design has many elements to consider – from function and form to how the building addresses inclusivity and accessibility to all, especially with the growth of the women’s game and the constantly evolving expectations for spectator experience.
Most importantly we are committed to exploring the most sustainable construction methods and operational design. At AFL, we understand the interplay between these factors and working with Ridge, Mott [MacDonald] and Fabrik alongside the team at Oxford United feel we have created the perfect solution to offer all these things within their new stadium.
Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald have been a constant in stadium design since the 1960s, engineering and advising on the greatest football venues in the UK. Mott MacDonald feel privileged to have been selected by Oxford United to engineer their new home and to work with a club and client team that share similar values to their own. The team look forward to engineering a sustainable venue solution that serves the local community and will provide stability for the club and it’s visitors for the immediate future and the generations to come.
Fabrik
Fabrik is an award-winning multi-disciplinary landscape and masterplanning practice based in London and Hampshire. Their mission is to design and build better places, and to improve the physical and mental health of communities, through engagement with sustainably designed and natural landscapes, bringing an innovative and design-led approach to projects.
Source & imagery, courtesy: OUFC
Sports Venue Business organises and delivers ALSD International – the leading event and 365 community for the Premium Seat & Hospitality sector – on behalf of the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD).
ALSD International 2023 is taking place at Etihad Stadium this October, with venue tours complimenting the high-level conference, exhibition and networking events. This year’s edition will feature the inaugural Tech Symposium and a Fan Experience breakout being delivered by IIFX.
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