By Frank Stormont
January 14 2007

The long awaited annoucement has now been made and work on the East stand WILL start on 29th January and be ready for use by July this year.  

Finally on its way!!!

Exeter based firm Michael Thorne Construction have been awarded the contract to build phase one of the new stand to be known as " The Redrow Homes East Stand" .

The celebrations started back in the summer when it was hoped that the stand would be ready for use before the end of 2006.  The process has been a lot more difficult than was first thought and whilst the promise of funds was there and planning permission obtained objections from other users of Brickfields and landlords consent still needed to be obtained.

 

The work is planned to commence on the 29th January and should be completed by the end of June. Whilst the main purpose of the stand that can be seen is to provide a covered area for spectators it will also contain two function rooms under the standing area.

The contract to build the stand has only been made possible thanks to support of Redrow Homes, Debenture holders and other sources of funding which includes the money saved by not hiring a temporary stand for this season.

This is only phase one of the plan and would needed to be updated to fully meet the requirements for entry into the premiership when, positive thinking, Albion are promoted at the end of this season.

Gary Sansom, Chairman of Plymouth Athletic Club, that use the area that backs onto the new stand, wish Albion all the best for the future, and that this new facility will aid toward hosting crowd capacity that is required for the Premiership.

The facility will also house a conference suite within, suitable for business use and weddings. Wayne Harris General Manager of Plymouth Albion says that this exciting new development will add two additional function suites that can be used throughout the year for all function and conference events, as well as increased space for Match Day hospitality. This new facility will be available for use from 1st July 2007. For details please contact Ian Baum - Event Manager at Plymouth Albion.

Bob Evans, Chairman of Plymouth Albion, says "This exciting part of the first phase development of Plymouth Albion at Brickfields will send a clear message to the RFU that Plymouth Albion, Plymouth City Council and Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership are serious in their efforts to become Premiership Rugby Football Club.