Stadium for Bath, the partnership aiming to redevelop The Rec rugby ground, has unveiled striking images of its plans along with a pledge to provide a sporting and social legacy for the city.
The partnership, which brings together Bath Rugby, Bath Rugby Foundation and stadium developer Arena 1865, said it wanted to use the transformation of The Rec and its surroundings to “focus on participation, well-being, learning and development”.
The physical elements of the proposals include plans for the regeneration of the riverside between North Parade and Pulteney Bridge with cafes, bars and public spaces, as well as redeveloping the rugby ground itself into an 18,000-capacity stadium – 16,000 seated and 2,000 standing – including raising the pitch and building a 600-800 space car park underneath.
The pitch itself will be fully or partly artificial, which will mean outside of matchdays it could be used for public and school sporting events.
Stadium for Bath is working on the project with London-based architecture practice Grimshaw, which was responsible for the re-designed Wimbledon No 1 Court and the new grandstand at Lord’s cricket ground.
The community-focused agenda will drive active involvement in grassroots sport and address specific social needs in Bath directly through targeted education opportunities for young adults and indirectly by supporting charitable organisations operating in the city, Stadium for Bath said.
The project will focus particularly on children and young people, with an additional emphasis on promoting women’s sport.
A new sport’s officer role will be created to promote sport, health and wellbeing in Bath and increase grassroots sports by using the new stadium facilities. Stadium for Bath said the sport’s officer would work with Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) to align objectives around sporting participation, obesity, health and well-being.
The new stadium could also become an additional ‘sport-focused campus’ for all primary schools in B&NES, including as a venue for their annual sports days as well as offering them an insight into professional sport, promoting sporting participation, personal wellbeing and nutrition.
Stadium for Bath will also look to create five apprenticeships and up to 200 vocational academic qualifications annually, primarily focused on BTECs.
It said the redevelopment would be a catalyst for accelerating the impact of the important work already being carried out by Bath Rugby Foundation with up to 200 young people supported and enrolled into what will be the charity’s ‘Development Academy’.
An education suite will provide classroom space with supporting facilities for lessons and mentoring, including the use of outside sports space for students who may struggle to focus through extended classroom periods.
The office and classroom space in the community-focused East Stand will be available for use by local charities, offering them a unique event and meeting space.
Bath Rugby chief executive Tarquin McDonald said: “We feel a great sense of opportunity and also responsibility with this project. Opportunity and responsibility in terms of stadium design and riverside regeneration, but also in terms of the significant contribution we can make to the community through the long term social legacy this project can create.
“We believe in the power of elite sport to inspire and instill a sense of pride. We also recognise the unique opportunity we have to use sport every day, to promote sporting participation and active engagement with people from all corners of the city to promote physical and mental wellbeing, promote social cohesion and to support our communities.
“This is a unique moment in time. Stadium for Bath could be transformative not only by providing an exceptional place and riverside that we can all enjoy, but by driving real change in the heart of the city.
“We hope that you will support this project, and everything that it can bring to the city.”
Bath Rugby Foundation chief executive Lynne Fernquest added: “Bath Rugby Foundation uses the values of sport to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people and over the last 15 years we are proud to have helped thousands of youngsters in B&NES discover and reach their full potential.
“We already work in schools, in the community and in our own classroom, but Stadium for Bath will provide us with the purpose-built space to connect and collaborate with other like-minded charities for the benefit of the increasing number of children and young people who need us.
“By supporting this project with its many benefits you’ll also be pledging to protect our most precious resource – the next generation.”
Stadium for Bath’s public consultation continues tomorrow in the Ricoh Suite in the South Stand of The Rec from 10am to 4pm.
Arena 1865 was established to deliver Bath Rugby’s elite training facility and headquarters at Farleigh House.
All images © Stadium for Bath
