The Daily Mail estimates that Celtic will spend £160 million to create a new South Stand.
Three sides of Celtic Park were reconstructed in the late twentieth century, but the South Stand was left out of the restoration; when Celtic played a season at Hampden, that section of the stadium remained undisturbed as the rest of the area was flattened.
Now reaching its 100th year, the stadium’s oldest section is lost in time, with a lack of basic facilities, much alone satisfying the expectations of modern supporters.
Bringing the South Stand in line with the rest of the stadium would be a big undertaking for the club, and while it is an often discussed topic among supporters, little is heard from within the organisation.
The Daily Mail addresses the problem, reporting:
Celtic have still to decide what to do about the rising necessity to address the South Stand situation.
The main stand is the stadium’s oldest structure, having been completed in its original configuration in 1929. In 1971, the club overhauled its structure using money from the Lisbon Lions. They also built a new facade in 1988.
With limited and outdated corporate, female restroom, reception, and press facilities, the stand is the first thing opponents see when they pitch up on European nights. And the board recognises the necessity to address the issue at some point.
Despite all that cash in the bank, the main issue never changes. Cost.
Estimates for a new stand are in the region of £160m. Where to seat just under 8,000 season ticket holders while the work is carried out is another significant consideration.
If the project goes ahead, the steel is unlikely to come from China.
Dealing with current Season Ticket holders, many of whom go back generations, would be a significant issue, but those fans deserve better than to be pushed out of their seats.
‘Completing the stadium’ to connect with the other three sides is the apparent but also the most expensive option.
A purpose-built new structure, larger than the current South Stand but not totally aligned with the rest of the stadium, might feature a museum, Ticket Office, and Superstore, as well as new facilities such as catering, with enhanced hospitality available. The start-up costs could be met within a five or ten-year period, while
Leave a Reply