New designs for stadium spark fresh debate over Rec future
The latest vision for Bath Rugby’s home at the Rec has proved a big talking point in the city since the release of concept designs last week. Daniel Evans found the issue is one that still continues to divide opinion when he spoke to stakeholders, fans and residents at the public consultation. Here are some of their arguments for and against the new stadium proposals... FOR
The concept designs released by Stadium for Bath have attracted excitement, praise and hope that a new stadium for Bath Rugby might finally become a reality. An exhibition was held in the South Stand at the Rec last week to encourage feedback on a new 18,000-capacity ground for the Premiership club to play their home games in, and the community to use at other times. The plans include the regeneration of the riverside behind the West Stand, a charity hub in the East Stand and a raised pitch with a 600-800 space car park underneath it. Ideas have also been mooted for a footbridge from the councilowned Parade Gardens to the Rec to improve access and the removal of the River Avon radial floodgate, owned by the Environment Agency. Having been to the exhibition in the Ricoh Suite, Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club chairman Kevin Lawrence said: “I’m delighted that the input we made as part of the focus groups has been taken on board. “I think the concept of lifting the pitch is really innovative and the concept designs look very good. They’re not just some Georgian pastiche. “They’re outward facing, into the city, which is something that we don’t have at the moment.” Wife Trish, a fellow season ticketholder at the Rec, said: “I think the community aspect, inspiring the next generation of Bath Rugby supporters and the work that could be done within the city to embed the rugby club is very impressive. “With the constraints on public funding these days, providing opportunities for people in need and a safe and healthy environment for the kids is paramount. I really think Stadium for Bath is grasping that.” Jon Evans, a season ticket-holder and administrator for the Bath Rugby Supporters Facebook group, sat on one of the steering groups. “It’s very impressive,” he said. “And I’m so impressed by the professionalism of the whole Stadium for Bath team. I’ve got complete confidence in them. “Every single thing has been considered, from the environmental impact to the matchday experience to traffic congestion. “For me, the neighbours are really being considered too and that’s of massive importance. “It’s not just a stadium for the rugby club, it is a stadium for the community. The difference between this and the last time a new stadium was planned is just night and day. “Rather than this being just a hope, this feels like a reality.” Graham Coe, who is in a wheelchair following several serious strokes, follows Bath Rugby home and away. He was also involved in a steering group during the initial consultation last year. The season ticket-holder since 1972 said: “It’s going to be impressive. It’s very exciting to see more and more of what it could be like. “Where I sit – on the raised platform in the corner near the clubhouse – there’s no roof. If I get wet, I get wet, I don’t mind that. “Because of my wheelchair, the most important thing for me is access – getting in and out of the venue. The new stadium should have much better access.” The 63-year-old from Chippenham added: “I don’t like the idea of a 4G pitch. Grass is my favourite, but something in the middle (a hybrid surface) would work.” Gene and Jenny Kerr are season ticket-holders from Claverton Down. As Jenny uses a wheelchair, access for them is also hugely important. Gene said: “It looks very impressive, especially the riverside vista. The car park under the pitch seems a really good and interesting idea.” Jenny added: “Coming in from the West (riverside) is so gloomy and pokey. It’s a very grotty area at the moment.” Kean Maslen, who has been watching the club since 1963, said: “I’m quite impressed. The car park is a positive thing, I think, but I know there’s two ways of viewing it because a lot of people don’t like cars in the town. “It would certainly tidy up the river, there’s no doubt about that. It’s needed it for a long time.” Dan Ball, a season ticket-holder who lives on Great Pulteney Street, said: “The fact it’s on our doorstep, from a selfish point of view, we do worry about more of the Rec being eaten up by a bigger stadium. That’s effectively our back garden. “Implementing the changes, which will be vast, will take some getting used to. Once that’s overcome, particularly the riverside regeneration, it will be great. “It has the potential to do a lot of good. It’s an exciting opportunity to redevelop an area which has been unloved for a while.”
❝ It’s very impressive. The neighbours are really being considered too and that’s of massive importance
AGAINST
Too big, too commercial and not right for a World Heritage city. While many have praised the concept designs for the Stadium for Bath, there are also those with concerns and criticisms. Rosie Carne, who lives on nearby Johnstone Street, said: “I’m horrified by the size of it. It’s absolutely going to dominate. It is overwhelming. “This was supposed to be a recreation ground, not a commercial sports facility, which should be on the edge of town. “We don’t want car parking in the centre of Bath. We want park and rides. We don’t want to make it worse, living in Bath. “I’m very concerned about the floodplain. There’s talk of taking away the radial gate, but it hasn’t actually flooded since the 60s, when the radial gate was put in. “What reassurance have we got? We all pay through the nose for insurance because we live on a floodplain.” Ms Carne was one of the three objectors – with Jack Sparrow and Nigel Websper – who appealed a Charity Commission scheme drawn up in 2013 to govern how the Rec could be used. That was eventually overturned at a court hearing in Bristol in December 2016 by the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber – Charity). The outcome was that Bath Recreation Ltd – formerly known as Bath Recreation Trust – was confirmed as having the powers of “absolute owner”. It can “sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of” all or any part of the Rec as long as that works towards its charitable objectives. Bath Rugby lease the land the stadium is on from Bath Recreation Ltd. Ms Carne added: “On matchdays we go out, but that’s fine because that’s only 14 days a year. But when they turned professional they should have left and found a more suitable site for a stadium. “I’m very worried about the idea of a new footbridge over the river. Parade Gardens is a real haven at the moment. “You’re going to have hordes of people. It’s just grabbing another part of Bath. “I also worry about the rest of Bath’s businesses if this is going to be a hub with restaurants, bars and a food hall. “You see shops all over Bath closing due to business rates and this is going to be real competition for them. “I love Bath Rugby. I want them to win. But they shouldn’t be on the Rec.” Peter Downey, who used to be chairman of the Real Friends of the Rec, said: “I’m very concerned about the East Stand. That’s our safety valve from expansion.” A condition on Bath Rugby’s current lease – signed in 1995 and valid until 2069 – is that the East Stand must be removed during the summer months. Bath Recreation Ltd would not be against a permanent East Stand under a new lease, which would have to be drawn up for the stadium proposals to become a reality due to the extra land needed. Roy Newport, a long-time Bath resident who has photographed much of the city, does not like what he has seen of so far of the concepts. “I don’t like the design,” he said. “I can’t see any positives in it. “I’d be shocked if they got that frontage passed in our World Heritage city.” The father of former Bath player Kane Palma-newport added: “This will be scrutinised more than any other development and rightly so. “The land was left to us so I’m hoping they get it right for future generations, not just for someone’s profit. “Money generated through the river frontage should be the benefit of the city.”
❝ I’m horrified by the size of it. It’s absolutely going to dominate