Club to cost stadium expansion

The mechanics of taking the capacity up to 16,000 or 20,000 have been detailed by an architect who presented his final findings last Friday.

The first step still involves expanding the stands behind each goal while the 20,000 figure would be reached by heightening the family stand.

Initial costings a while ago showed it would cost up to £5 million to add 8,000 to the current capacity but more up to date figures will now be sought.

Chairman Tony Stewart has said that the club needs to be able to accommodate crowds of at least 16,000 in order to help it compete in the Championship.

He told the Advertiser: “The architect has been very comprehensive with his drawings, more so than even we thought. We have got all the information now and he has given us two alternatives – one a cantilever and the other an add-on – and we are getting costs for both.

“We are looking at extending the hospitality facilities too. It was very successful last season and the idea is to have more tables on the first and second floors of the Main Stand.”