City 's new stadium plans making progress

Cambridge City’s new stadium in the South Cambridgeshire village of Sawston is becoming more of a reality, as negotiations between suppliers and grant providers have reached an advanced stage.

The last few months have seen the Sawston project team working with various contractors to finalise the requirements of the club and reach agreements on timescales and costs. The end of the month will see final agreements reached on the provision of the main pitch, artificial pitch and stadium areas. Alongside this work, the club's Partner Funding Coordinator Pat McGowan has been working tirelessly to secure the necessary funding to deliver the project.

The main pitch will be a natural grass pitch with a built in automatic irrigation system, and evening matches will be illuminated by state of the art LED floodlights. Fans will be accommodated in a 450 seat main stand with full disabled access that will also house the club function areas and office space. An area of terracing able to hold 500 people will be created opposite the main stand, this will have concrete areas either side to allow for further expansion if required.

The artificial grass pitch, which will be available for hire, is to be situated adjacent to the main stadium and will incorporate a viewing area for spectators.

City Vice President and Safety Officer Terry Dunn explained:

“The specifications will see the ground have a capacity of around 3,100, meeting the Grade B ground grading requirements when supported by the other facilities the ground will boast. The league Ground Grading Officer has already approved the pitch measurements. The club would like to thank everyone involved in the project so far.”

Pat McGowan added: “The finalisation of the technical, commercial and legal requirements is arguably the most important phase of the project as it will determine the overall delivery of the project. Our solicitors and architects are busy ensuring we are compliant with both our planning requirement and the criteria stipulated by the Football Foundation to receive funding.”