Bath Rugby has abandoned it plan to build a car park under The Rec as part of its wider regeneration scheme – but has said it remains committed to expanding and modernising the stadium.
More than a year after it unveiled its proposals – the latest in a long line of planned upgrades suggested for the iconic ground – the club said it had taken the opportunity to reflect on the project.
The key feature of its Stadium For Bath scheme – in which it has teamed up with Bath Rugby Foundation and stadium developer Arena 1865 – is to increase the The Rec’s capacity from 14,500 to 18,000 by creating a modern sporting arena, pictured.
Increased hospitality space on match days, car parking and a restaurant, café and new club shop would bring in revenue for the club, it announced when it launched the scheme 15 months ago before ‘pausing’ it when the pandemic hit.
One of its ideas was to raise The Rec’s pitch to greatly minimise the flood risk from the River Avon while also relaying it with a new harder-wearing playing surface similar to that used at Wembley – meaning it can be used for community sport on non-match days.
The space under the raised pitch was to be used as a car park – bringing in revenue for the club on non-match days.
In a statement this week the club said: “The raising of the pitch in previous designs created the space for a public car park much like the adjacent parking under the leisure centre, with the provision of parking at The Rec compensating for the loss of other city-centre parking sites allocated for development and contributing to the financial sustainability of the development.
“During this period of reflection we have identified a satisfactory design solution to mitigate long-term challenges relating to flood risks and the water table which do not require the full raising of the pitch.
“The world has changed over the course of the pandemic. We no longer believe it is appropriate to base the sustainability of the stadium and the club on car parking. We will therefore not be including an under-pitch car park in future proposals for redevelopment at The Rec.”
The club reiterated that its commitment to The Rec and the city was unchanged “despite the many challenges which have been thrown at us”.
It added: “Our deep desire to make a valuable and responsible contribution to the city is undiminished through creating new jobs, bringing significant visitor spend into the local economy, riverside regeneration, driving sporting participation and providing education and support for vulnerable members of our community.
“At the same time we are building a squad of at least 50% home grown players deeply rooted to this city.”
It said it felt a great sense of responsibility to the club and the city, and to future generations of players and supporters.
“As part of this responsibility, the financial sustainability of the club has always sat at the heart of our plans for a new stadium in Bath, alongside the desire for an exceptional design,” it added.
The club has been granted leave on all grounds of appeal in relation to a recent judgment regarding the 1922 covenants on The Rec.
“Bath Recreation Limited, our landlord, has also been granted permission to join the appeal proceedings,” the club added.
“A successful appeal is important for Bath Recreation Ltd’s future as operations could be impacted in relation to hosting events, and in other matters such as the future of the leisure centre.”
The appeal hearing is due to be heard this autumn.
In the meantime, the temporary stands at The Rec will remain, which the club claiming the constraints caused are unique in professional elite sport and operating the temporary stadium facilities costs it around £1m an annum in incremental operating costs.
“Our commitment to the city and to the contribution we can make through playing rugby at The Rec is undiminished,” the statement continued.
“We will continue to consider solutions for an appropriate design at The Rec, which must also be financially sustainable over the long-term. The appeal hearing in the autumn is an important next step on the journey.
“We recognise the support from so many people across Bath for this project, and we are hugely appreciative for the significant contributions to our many consultations on the project.”
Stadium For Bath is working on the redesign with London-based architecture practice Grimshaw, which was responsible for the re-designed Wimbledon No 1 Court and grandstand at Lord’s cricket ground.
The plans also include a 50,000 sq ft riverside park and plaza with food stalls while a new East Stand would include a suite of classrooms for up to 200 young adults and teenagers who are not in education, employment or training and 3,000 sq ft for charities and not-for-profit organisations that cannot afford city centre rents. There would also be space to support sporting participation and wellness projects jointly with Bath & North East Somerset Council.
No official cost has been put on the project by Stadium For Bath, although it is understood to be above £30m.
The club’s statement was welcomed bu Bath Preservation Trust.
“In particular we welcome the removal of proposals for a large car park under the pitch; partly for environmental reasons as car parking encourages car travel and partly because we assume this removal will enable there to be a reduction in the overall height of any new stands,” chief executive Caroline Kay said.
“We are concerned that a reduction of height is not made explicit in the statement and will work constructively with Bath Rugby and Bath Recreation Ltd to help find an acceptable solution for the heart of the World Heritage Site while hoping to retain the historic vibrancy of rugby on The Rec.”
A planning application had been expected to be submitted to the council early last year. The regeneration work would take around a year, meaning the club would have to relocate for a season. Talks have already taken place with other stadia on a ground-sharing basis.
