Bath Rugby is to reveal new designs for the redevelopment of its stadium to the public in May.
The club will share the plans at The Rec after the final home premiership game against Saracens on 6 May. They will also be available after that date at Widcombe Social Club.
Under the plans the stadium’s capacity will increase to 18,000. There will also be increased provision for accessibility needs, as well as providing a new permanent home for Bath Rugby Foundation, the club’s charity arm.
The new ground has been designed by Grimshaw to replace the existing 14,500-capacity Rec, which has been home to the club since 1894.
As part of the redevelopment, the public riverside space to the west of The Rec will be widened.
Bath Rugby said the designs of the new stadium have incorporated feedback from stakeholders and the public obtained during consultations. It added that sustainability and environmentally friendly materials are ‘key’ to the new proposals.
The club appointed Arup in 2018 to provide civil, geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health engineering services. It is also providing ICT, audio visual, acoustic and specialist lighting design for the new £30m stadium.
Bath Rugby chief executive, Tarquin McDonald, said: “After decades of conversation, we are confident the plans we will submit this summer will both excite and reassure the people of Bath.
“Our club, your club, is the heart of our city and now is the time to bring a stadium that will serve world-class men’s and women’s rugby, and our community, all year round.”
