STANDING OVATION: Exeter City Football Club – stand redevelopment

In this case study, we hear about the latest stand development at Exeter City Football Club’s St James Park, delivered by GL events UK.

The impressive new Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand at St James Park, completed in 2018, has seating for 1,600 football supporters. It’s built on a concrete structure and features a protective cantilever roof and glazed side panels. It’s red and white seating is arranged to spell out the words ‘ECFC’ to maximise the overall brand appeal.

The club wanted to improve the old and outdated 1920s structures and the renovation marks a superior improvement in the overall facilities, while only the seating capacity remains the same.

GL events UK worked closely with Exeter City Council to overcome several challenges and delivered the project on schedule and within budget.

Solution one

The design incorporated a raised disabled access platform which complies with Disability, Safety and Building regulations, so that all supporters can enjoy their favourite sport safely and in comfort.  Supporters also gained a new and improved toilet block facility, bar-fit-out and concessions.

Beneath the stand there’s a new control room and first aid-structure and the players’ changing rooms are fitted out with air-handling units, ice-baths and improved high-tech drainage.

External works included 15m pile foundations, concrete retaining walls and the pitch received new flood lighting.

The design also incorporated a complete stadia PA, fire alarm and CCTV system to improve safety.

The redevelopment works started in June 2017 and the new facilities were ready for the official opening in October 2018.

Solution two

The work at St James Park also includes a robust 1,000-capacity Durbar plate standing terrace with a cantilever roof, used for the ‘Away’ stand.

The existing concrete standing terrace was in poor condition and unsafe for use, prompting the club’s desire to replace it with a new stand that would comply with English Football League requirements and the SGSA’s Green Guide.

Spectators benefited from new refreshment units and temporary toilets and facilities, installed to the rear of the building.

Pitch safety was addressed by installing a new barrier and turnstile, plus a PA system and CCTV around the facility.

Below ground drainage and services were installed while groundworks included tarmac and landscape areas that were created to the client’s specifications.

For further information on GL events UK, a Premium Advertiser client of Sports Venue Business (SVB), check out their online SVB Directory listing by simply clicking on their logo below… 

Images, courtesy: GL events UK

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