Bristol Rovers have released further details of their desire to redevelop the South and South West areas of the Mem with planning permission having been submitted to Bristol City Council and president Wael Al-Qadi confident the work will begin at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Rovers want to remove the two temporary tented stands opposite the Thatcher’s End and replace them with a single L-shaped structure with one solid roof structure and a concourse, and for the first time an image of the stand has been published.
Rovers haven’t detailed exactly how big the new structure will be, although speaking on BBC Radio Bristol last week Wael Al-Qadi said it would boost the Mem’s capacity to around 12,500 which would represent a 2,600 increase on the current size. Rovers state they have been working with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) throughout the process.
Wael Al Qadi said : “During my time at the club, we have constantly been looking for ways in which we can improve The Mem and provide a better experience for supporters. It has been a long process to get to this date, but we are glad that we are now at a stage where we can share with you the plans for the new season.
“The new stand allows us to add more seating to the current stadium plan and increase the capacity which, following the success of the past two seasons, is something that will enable us to welcome more supporters to attend games.
“The ability to add more accessible seating options for supporters also aligns with the club’s desire to make our stadium more accessible to all fans where possible.
“For the first time, we can create a concourse area, underneath the stand, offering improved facilities for our home fans, as well as those visiting the stadium.
“The changes will also see the removal of the current Brunel South Stand and MKJ Southwest Stand. The removal of these two tented stands to be replaced by a solid roof structure is something that I am sure will be welcomed by all supporters.
“Given the scale of the development, timelines are tight and we will be doing all we can to ensure that the new structure is in place as quickly as possible, with minimum disruption. That said, as with any development of this nature, there is always the chance of delays that are out of our control, but we have done all we can to look to mitigate this risk.”
News of plans to upgrade the South and South West areas of the Mem were first revealed in the minutes of February’s board meeting in which it was detailed there was a "proposal to look to increase the capacity of the Mem in the summer of 2023, through the installation of a new South Stand. It was agreed to take this proposal to the next stage, in order to create more detailed plans for further consideration and discussion."
CEO Tom Gorringe then provided some additional context in his programme notes before the game against Ipswich Town in February, in which he said, “we are in the process of getting surveys and 3D drawings completed,” while head of sales David Bright, in an interview with the Stadium Business Summit, stated the plan was to triple the capacity of the old structure.
Wael Al-Qadi has insisted that the desire to boost that area of the ground is not linked to Rover’ grand project of being part of the proposed developments at the fruit market site in St Phillip’s Marsh and it is merely a step to cover their immediate, rather than long-term, future.
Several times over the last few weeks, manager Joey Barton has referred to Rovers infrastructure and how the Gas are unlikely to break the glass ceiling between existing in League One and competing for Championship promotion until they can boost revenues and grow the size and scope of their facilities.
The Mem’s capacity currently stands at 9,832 with Rovers having to reduce it in the wake of Covid-19 and the greater safety regulations that resulted after the pandemic. The Gas’ average attendance, with one remaining League One fixture to be held in BS7, this season has been 8,853 - the ninth largest in the division.
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