Stadium wait almost over (From The Advertiser Series)

Stadium wait almost over

12:29pm Thursday 25th February 2010

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A NORTHERN League football club will receive the keys to its new stadium in October, signalling the end of an eight-year wait.

Bishop Auckland FC announced this week that the facility at Tindale Crescent, will have a 1,994 capacity, including 250 seats in the main stand, and the provisional date for completion is October 11.

Club officials have submitted applications for alcohol and entertainment licences to Durham County Council, and are working on a Green Travel Plan to encourage fans who travel by car to share lifts, and those living nearby to walk or cycle to the ground, The car park will comprise 120 parking spaces and several disabled bays.

Bishop Auckland College’s management team are designing the layout of the stadium’s interior and the pitch, which is due to be seeded within the next few weeks.

Club chairman Terry Jackson said the completion date was subject to consultation with Northern League officials “We need to work closely with the league to ensure we do not disrupt any fixtures, but we are hoping to incorporate a couple of big friendly matches to commemorate the stadium’s opening,” he said. “The important thing for us at the moment is seeing the pitch take shape.

“The developers, Terrace Hill, and the architects are working hard to make sure there is no stone left unturned.”

He thanked the Football Foundation for keeping a £250,000 grant in its budget for five years while the stadium’s plans were finalised.

“We are starting to claim the first parts of that grant now. Without that, we would have had significant problems.”

The stadium has been awarded an FA Category C grade, making it suitable for use up to the Northern League’s Premier division.

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