Blackpool Football Club can announce that work is due to commence on a wide-ranging programme of infrastructure upgrades and improvements.
These projects include significant investment in the East Stand, with further work in and around Bloomfield Road and the Equities Energies Training Centre to be phased and implemented. The ongoing priorities for the Club are to provide a premium matchday experience for our supporters and an elite performance environment for our staff.
The first phase, to be completed before the start of the new campaign will see:
- Major structural improvements to the existing East Stand
- Replacement and refurbishment of all boards and seating within the East Stand
- New media facilities and a new camera platform in the East Stand
- The installation of rails to create rail seating/safe standing in the North Stand
- Repainting of the underside of the South Stand roof in tangerine and white
- Further investment into the Equities Energies Training Centre, including the installation of a new kitchen, and new sports science and physiotherapy facilities
Subject to planning approval, the second phase of delivery within the stadium will include but is not limited to:
- Further improvements to the East Stand and its facade
- New LED floodlighting throughout the stadium
- A new tannoy system, to be installed as phase two of the East Stand upgrades are completed
In addition to the above, longer-term plans for the stadium and its surrounding area continue to progress. Some of the below projects will be part-funded by the Government’s Towns Fund in partnership with Blackpool Council, who continue to progress with property acquisitions along the west side of Henry Street. These projects include:
- A new East Stand concourse with seating to be reconfigured to allow efficient access and egress from pitchside to the concourse and through to Henry Street
- Construction of The Revoe Sports Village which will provide two all-weather pitches for both community and Academy use. Work on site is anticipated to begin in Autumn 2025, with planned completion by the late Summer of 2026.
- Enhanced Public Realm behind the North and East Stands
Owner Simon Sadler said:
"I am delighted that we are about to embark on this major build and refurbishment project in and around Bloomfield Road and am very excited about what lies ahead for our Club.
"I am particularly pleased that we have found a cost-effective solution to rebuild and remedy the deficiencies of the East Stand by utilising its existing frame, which I’m assured has at least another 20 years of life in it. Whilst I understand that there may be a touch of disappointment from some fans that we aren’t building a new cantilevered stand from scratch, the savings have been substantial, likely in excess of £10m. This frees up funds to invest elsewhere in and around the stadium and also means that at no point will we have to sacrifice material stadium capacity in order to facilitate the build of a new stand.
"The installation of rails in the North Stand and the introduction of some tangerine colour to the underside of the roof of the South Stand are important ground enhancements, but more can still be done to mark our identity on Bloomfield Road. As such, we will formally reach out to fans and fan groups to discuss how to add more colour and vibrancy throughout our ‘home’.
"When completed, the Sports Village should be a fantastic asset to our Community Trust and Academy, both of which will be actively based out of the Bloomfield Road complex. This will mean that in the heart of Blackpool we will have a busy and buzzing facility being utilised seven days a week by local boys and girls, men and women, across a range of football and sport-related activities.
"With the Squires Gate training ground seeing a further wave of off-season investment and with the completion of the Sports Village next summer, the Club, from the Academy through to the first-team, will soon be the most integrated and professional that it has ever been. For the first time we will have Championship-level facilities throughout, giving us a strong base from which we can progress.
"I truly believe that after several years of disappointments we have turned the proverbial corner. We have by far and away the best all-round footballing set-up that we have had during my custodianship and make no mistake, promotion back to the Championship is our goal.
"Better times lie ahead for us all."
UTMP!
Simon
