Northampton Saints announce stadium expansion plans
Northampton Saints rugby club has confirmed the plans and timeline for the development of its Franklin's Gardens stadium in the town.
The new North Stand will transform Franklin's Gardens into a wraparound arena and will complete 10-year redevelopment project of the venue.
Designed by Peter Haddon Partnership, the new North Stand will see the capacity of Franklin's Gardens increasing to around 15,500 and also includes 10 corporate hospitality boxes, a function suite that can seat up to 270 people, a stadium control room and television studio, a ground floor bar for supporters and full facilities for disabled fans.
Work on the development is due to be completed by summer 2013.
The Saints originally announced draft plans for a new North Stand in May 2009. Those plans included replacing the Sturtridge Pavilion with a new stand and increasing the venue's capacity to more than 17,000.
The plans confirmed now have been amended from those of just two years ago.
Saints chair Leon Barwell said: "The expansion of Franklin's Gardens is crucial in the long-term development of the club and we want to make sure we do it right."
"We believe that the new plans suit our needs perfectly. They still represent the biggest single increase in capacity in the club's history and when we are filling the seats week in, week out, we will be in the top five clubs in Europe in terms of average attendances at our regular home ground.
"We believe that a 15 thousand stadium packed to capacity is better than 20 thousand capacity arena that is only half-full or two-thirds full. It creates a better atmosphere that the team can thrive off and means we can continue our tradition of providing a big match experience that lives long in the memory.
Earlier this month (September 5 2011), business analysts Deloitte listed Northampton Saints as being the 11th biggest rugby club in Europe in terms of financial turnover, and 8th biggest in terms of average attendance.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more