
Manchester City has unveiled concepts for a proposed revamp of the Etihad Stadium including an expanded North Stand and a new covered fan zone.
The Premier League club has invited fans and the local community to share their feedback on the proposals for ‘a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination’ from today until Sunday 26th March.
This follows the club’s announcement in December last year that feasibility studies were underway to explore concepts that could form part of a future stadium development, consistent with the long-held vision to establish the Etihad Campus and the wider area as a globally relevant and competitive sport, leisure and entertainment destination. The plans include:
Matchday travel measures are currently being explored with partners from across the city, with a view to enhancing existing services. Alongside this, the Club is developing alternative methods for fans to travel to and from the stadium as part of its wider sustainable transport strategy.
Since 2008, City Football Group has overseen over £700 million of investment into the Etihad Campus and East Manchester.
The investment has supported thousands of jobs, with CFG and its partners delivering a range of facilities, including City Football Academy, the Connell Co-op College, the Manchester Institute of Health & Performance and Co-op Live, the UK's biggest and most sustainable arena, which opens in December 2023.
In line with previous Club development proposals, the initiative would ensure that training, recruitment and employment opportunities are prioritised for local people.
Opportunities would extend beyond the period of development works, with plans being explored for a long-term ‘skills academy’ programme designed to provide local people of all ages with qualifications to secure permanent jobs at the Etihad Campus.
Should a planning application be submitted and successfully approved, the construction programme would take place over a three-year period, with works staged to minimise disruption during the football season.
Detailed information outlining the Club’s concepts are now available for fans and the local community to view at mancity.com/etihad-stadium-consultation where feedback and comments can also be submitted.
Fans and the local community can also visit a temporary exhibition space in City Square at the Etihad Stadium, which will be open from Saturday 4th March – Sunday 26th March or attend one of three consultation events in East Manchester.
Images courtesy of Manchester City FC
@PanStadiaArena
PSAM editor John Sheehan caught up with Yves De Cocker, Managing Director of PitchTecConcept, who explains how his company bridges the gap between sports organisations and the technology used in the playing surface industry.
PSAM Presents... PitchTecConcept from Hemming Group Video on Vimeo.
The interview covers:
Yves 20+ years industry leading experience in the evolution of hybrid grass, trends he has noticed and some of the notable projects he has been involved with
The key reasons for Yves launching PitchTecConcept
Common mistakes often made with playing surface management
The steps he offers as a bridge between the industry and the end user
Advice to clubs looking to maximise their event calendars without compromising on the performance of their playing surface