Lincoln City give update with proposed designs for new look stand as part of stadium expansion

League One side Lincoln City give an update with proposed designs for a new look stand as part of their stadium expansion plans.

Plans for the LNER Stadium included upgrading the Stacey West Stand to a three tier offering but now the club’s final plans reveal it will only be developed into two tiers.

CLUB STATEMENT:

The club board, in partnership with the Red Imps Community Trust, is now able to provide an update on the Stacey West Stand redevelopment.

Against the acute backdrop of an economic climate that has further weakened, and which remains both challenging and volatile, this project has presented many challenges which were unforeseen at its outset three years ago. Despite this, the board’s non-negotiable position on investment remains unchanged – firmly and responsibly committed to growth and progress, but without placing the financial future of the club at risk.

Following a further project review, the board concluded that the original proposal would present an unacceptable risk to this commitment. Nevertheless, it remains absolutely dedicated to investing in infrastructure, and to delivering on the original project objectives – increasing capacity, improving fan experience and creating new community facilities.

Therefore, to maximise the £1.8m already secured from various grant funds and investment from supporters and investors alike, the project will now proceed with a two-tier development, omitting a proposed third-tier hospitality suite, demonstrating that the club remains fully committed to increasing its social impact in the community through the vital work delivered by Lincoln City Foundation.

Building a new Community Skills and Education Hub will help tackle the growing skills gap in the city by providing the Foundation with a fit-for-purpose facility from which it can champion the delivery of education and employability skills, all under the brand of the football club. The contemporary new-build will offer community space, offices and dedicated classrooms, enabling the club to increase its social impact value and improve the quality of life of local residents through its wide range of educational, health and well-being initiatives.

Following a successful pilot scheme in early 2022 and a recent landmark change in legislation, the club will seize upon this new opportunity by investing in rail seating. Working closely with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, the club have submitted an application to trial ‘safe-standing’ in a small section of the Stacey West Stand – with the intention of installing rail seats throughout the entire stand should the trial be successful.

Below shows photos of the proposed Stacey West Stand, top is the new single tier, below was the initial double tier plan now scrapped.

In addition, the club will install barriers in Upper 7 of the GBM Stand to facilitate the safe-standing of supporters in that area. If successful, along with improving stadium aesthetics and fan experience, this significant investment in infrastructure would place Lincoln City as a leading player in safe-standing at football stadia in England, and also offer the potential to increase the LNER Stadium capacity to 11,500.

The project will also benefit from some key infrastructure improvements including:

• Investment in a new mains water supply to the LNER Stadium, addressing the much- needed demand for improved services for supporters 

• Investment in power supply to the LNER Stadium, part of a longer-term strategic plan to become more energy-efficient, which will also enable other further plans such as enhancements to the University of Lincoln Fan Village 

• Investment in a new, state-of-the-art recycling irrigation system which aims to re-use up to 50% of the water used to irrigate the fibre sand pitch, providing much-needed economic and environmental benefits and a major step forward as part of the club’s climate action plan

The matchday experience will be further enhanced by using the new Hub in other ways such as a social space, a shelter for vulnerable fans, family activities or a multi-faith prayer room. 


In line with the board’s vision to have a home that is contemporary, accessible, has soul and reflects the strength of the club’s ambition, this project is just one of many potential investments into infrastructure from a maintained list of future opportunities to upgrade the stadium as part of a longer-term plan.

It also demonstrates the club’s agility to adapt to the changing economic landscape while remaining fully committed to the board’s vision for the club. The board expect to submit a revised planning application imminently and hope to begin work in the new year.

The Red Imps Community Trust and club boards both remain confident they can deliver a newly developed Stacey West Stand to be proud of and will provide further updates as progress is made.

Thank you for your ongoing support for this project and the club.

Clive Nates, chairman, Lincoln City Football Club

Rob Bradley, chair, The Red Imps Community Trust

Twitter users reacted as Lincoln City give an update with proposed designs for the new look stand as part of their stadium expansion…

@TobyFreestone: Safe standing baby ❤️

@jsattsyy: No standing no party

@gary_burr: Looks great 👏

@winstano: This is looking great – reacted well to the changing circumstances, safe standing in, and a great hub for the foundation to continue the work they do. Up the Imps.

@TomFM_YT: Club have reacted well to the changing economic conditions and fan feedback. I would imagine the way it’s built will leave room for further expansion. Exciting times!

@Becci_B: Fantastic! 👏🔴⚪️🔴

@theimpreview: Looks better than the one previous

@brumantcornell: Love the new plans for the Stacey West stand.

@LadyImps: This is huge for the clubs, supporters, @LCityFoundation and the wider community 💪🏻 delighted to see rail seating/ standing included too 🙌🏻 #Imps 🔴⚪️🔴

@VfB_Fox: FAN BLOODY TASTIC ! X

@ColinHerrick: Any thoughts on solar panels on stadium rooftop?

@johnmat44609047: Sounds a very realistic and proportionate way of improving the stadium. Particularly like the Community and eco-emphasis of this project. This and the comments suggest to me that our medium-term plan is to remain at the LNER.

@jcairns87: Safe standing in Upper 7, brilliant news but maybe do lower 7 aswell as majority stand up in lower 7 too 👍

@DarrenLBugg: Having been in the safe standing section of the Etihad Stadium, I personally think it’s a bad idea. It’s a pointless waste of money. Just keep the seats as they are and allow people to stand up, as they do anyway!

@broadway1510: should be 2 tier stand at least to cope with larger crowds. Rain water harvesting about time. PV panels should be included as well

@Imp617SpurN17: That is sexy

@PaintedPonyLady: The rendering looks fab 😊

@ABavin: Very exciting times!

@StandUnited1889: Lincoln City getting in on the act – adding a safe standing trial to part of their Stacey West Stand redevelopment, which would be expanded to the whole stand should the trial be successful

 

 

 

 

 

 

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