Lincoln City’s board has revealed that plans for the Stacey West Stand redevelopment will no longer include a hospitality suite after a further review of the project concluded that the original proposal risked the financial future of the club.
Revised plans will still offer the potential for an increase in capacity at the LNER Stadium to 11,500 with the introduction of rail seating in areas of the Stacey West Stand and GBM Stand.
While delivering on the club’s commitment to provide a new home for the Lincoln City Foundation, as well as investment targeted at improving infrastructure at the stadium.
The club’s board said: “Against the acute backdrop of an economic climate that has further weakened, and which remains both challenging and volatile, this project has presented many challenges which were unforeseen at its outset three years ago.
“Despite this, the board’s non-negotiable position on investment remains unchanged – firmly and responsibly committed to growth and progress, but without placing the financial future of the club at risk.
“Following a further project review, the board concluded that the original proposal would present an unacceptable risk to this commitment.”
Funding of £1.8million that has already been received for the project will be used in several ways. Following a pilot in 2022, the club has submitted an application to trial ‘safe-standing’ in a small part of the Stacey West Stand.
With the hope of installing railing throughout the entire stand, if the trial is successful. Barriers will also be installed in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand to allow safe standing.
A new Community Skills and Education hub inside the Stacey West Stand will be the new base for the Lincoln City Foundation.
The club’s board in combination with the Red Imps Community Trust hopes that the investment will: “help tackle the growing skills gap in the city by providing the Foundation with a fit-for-purpose facility from which it can champion the delivery of education and employability skills, all under the brand of the football club.
“The contemporary new-build will offer community space, offices and dedicated classrooms, enabling the club to increase its social impact value and improve the quality of life of local residents through its wide range of educational, health and well-being initiatives.”
Improving the infrastructure at the LNER Stadium is another key target of the project. The sustainability and longevity of the club are at the heart of the investment strategy. Funding will be used to:
- Invest in a new mains water supply to the LNER Stadium.
- Invest in the power supply to the LNER Stadium, as part of a longer-term strategic plan to become more energy-efficient.
- Invest in a new, recycling irrigation system that aims to re-use up to 50% of the water used to irrigate the fibre sand pitch.
Plans for the revised redevelopment are expected to be submitted soon, with the hope that work can begin in the new year.
The Stacey West Bond remains open and the terms are unchanged. To find out more visit www.staceywestinvestmentbond.com.