Fans were left stunned as Luton Town release more proposed designs of their new stadium, ahead of their Championship playoff final.
The Hatters has released images of the new stadium they plan to build. It would be an upgrade on their current ground.
The current home of Kenilworth Road, tends to be mocked by opposition fans for its ageing stadium, with the away end and entrance situated within housing. Others however rather love that grounds such as theirs still exist.
If they win the play-off final on Saturday against Coventry, the club plans to remove their Bobbers stand.
Gary Sweet, the chief executive of Luton Town FC, recently reacted to criticism by expressing his anger over social media jokes which mocked club premises.
The club has released new images of its new Power Court ground, and announced that the final design plans will be submitted soon for planning permission.
The new stadium will have a capacity of 19,500, compared to the 10,356 at Kenilworth Road.
The club has also reported that an additional 4,000 standing or seating sections will be added during the second phase of upgrading.
Images show a modern metal and glass framework with floodlights suspended all around the stadium.
The new Luton ground will be built on a 20-acre plot close to the central railway station of the town, making it easy for both home and away fans to access.
The club has set a 24-month construction period, so supporters won’t get to see the finished product until at least 2025.
CLUB STATEMENT:
At a time when Kenilworth Road is being heavily scrutinised as a potential Premier League facility, Luton Town Football Club is delighted to disclose that very good progress is now being made at Power Court as final designs are imagined.
In preparation for its submission of the detailed planning application due to be submitted during the close-season, the Club’s development arm, 2020 Developments, is delighted to release new imagery of the planned new stadium at Power Court in the heart of Luton’s town centre.
Subject to a consented detailed planning application, acting as the centrepiece of a regeneration of a 20-acre site adjacent to Luton Railway Station, the Power Court site already benefits from outline planning consent and the Club has now completed land assembly for the whole site with the demolition of the last few buildings.
Over recent months, attention has been focused on relocating the existing primary sub-station in the middle of the site, detailing ground conditions and opening up the River Lea. However, now the sub-station project is progressing it is anticipated that groundworks for the new stadium should begin by the turn of the year with the construction period for the stadium itself estimated at around 24-30 months.
Chief Executive, Gary Sweet, commented: “We’re delighted the infrastructure element is underway allowing us to develop the detail of the stadium’s design and, in particular, work hard to capture the core characteristics that makes Kenilworth Road so atmospheric, so intimate and so special to us. This season, perhaps more than any other, has demonstrated the incredible relationship we all have with The Kenny and that has been the driving force behind our design work.”
Chief Operating Officer Michael Moran spoke with regard coming key dates and milestones: “The next phase now is an engagement with Luton Council and key stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and Historic England as we take them all through our detailed design process. We are also engaging with contractors as we finalise certain construction features but our target for completion is 2026, regardless of the Club’s league position. We also mustn’t lose sight of the fact the stadium is to be accompanied by a whole new town quarter for Luton with 1,200 homes, leisure, restaurants, bars, retail and community space. It is incredibly exciting to be at the forefront of the Borough’s wider regeneration plans.”
Gary Sweet concluded: “We know everyone is desperate for the new stadium to open – as are we! It’s clearly a hugely complicated project but the main aim has always been to maintain the architectural quality and to deliver a stadium that replicates an essential, unique character we are all so familiar with but also fit and ready to grace the Premier League stage.”
The images shown represent Power Court Stadium in its first phase of development at a capacity of 19,500, which will include around a third as safe-standing. A second phase will see another 4,000 seats or standing seats added, which can be developed as demand dictates without too much disruptive upheaval.
Further technical details will be released as the application is submitted and put in the public domain.
SEE MORE: Residents give divided reaction on what it’s like to live within Luton’s Kenilworth Road
As mentioned, fans were left stunned as Luton Town release more proposed designs of their new stadium…
@SkyeBlewArnie: Quality to see a new stadium not replicating that same boring bowl look. Looking forward to visiting one day. #pusb
@RaineyPhyl: WOW soo beautiful 🧡🧡🧡 #COYH
@BenBeesWicks: Huge fan
@IpswichBuh:
You gonna build a row of houses outside the away end for nostalgia?
Seriously it looks well nice. As much as I’ve enjoyed following my team at KR its proper needed.
Oh also those floodlight are lovely
Good luck Saturday from itfc
@albanianstokie:
I think you should give some way of preserving the away end entrance!
I think it looks great 👍
@Dent0n_: As new grounds go, I actually really like this.
@dannybd85: Doesn’t she look beautiful 😍
@HungryHatter: Cor, look at it. This stadium is going to be brilliant.
@HarryMiiddleton: Looks mint tbf
@Jackoldland1992: Still looks like a proper ground
@W17TY: Whatever happens on Saturday our amazing club has a VERY bright future 🧡🧡#TheFutureIsOrange #LutonTown #2020
@DonLtfc: Some gaff that
@DaleAC93: Looks pretty decent tbh
@tomcx85: Pint of Pelly Pale in the John Still Bar please
@DavidMitchSoton: That looks decent. Will miss Kenilworth Road, but at least you are avoiding a soulless bowl design in the middle of nowhere. Stands looks nice and tight to the pitch as it should be.
@Scottie_Alex: Looks awesome lads but can you incorporate the SKF clock into one of the corners please! Thanks
@LtfcMatt: Brilliant. Whatever happens Saturday the future is bright
@treaders76: It looks amazing. Well done to all involved in the project.
Details 🥹 pic.twitter.com/7noDQS4ysx
— Kevin Crowe (@KevinSCrowe) May 25, 2023
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