The shape of things to come

Photo: Pictures by DARREN ROBINSON.

LOOKING GOOD: the new Athletic stand is on course to be completed for the start of next season as our reporter Matthew Chambers (inset) finds out from Paul Whitehead, managing director of Holroy Developments.

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THERE is no denying the view from the top of Athletic’s new North Stand is impressive.

A year from now matchdays will be the scene of frantic activity beneath our vantage point. Two ground-floor concourses with kiosks and television screens will buzz with supporters - as will a large Sports Direct shop and a gymnasium.

On the next floor, up to 14 executive boxes will provide a business-class experience for Athletic-watchers on either side of a banqueting and conference suite served by two kitchens. The second floor will feature office space to be rented out.

The fine details have yet to be ironed out, but the main structure of the 49,000 sq ft stand is in place.

The next step is to install the roof and cladding — a new company will soon handle that task after a

decision was made to pull out of a deal with another firm. After that the electrics will be installed.

The whole of the car park on the Broadway side of the ground is also to be resurfaced, behind the stand’s enticing, curved-glass front.

If that isn’t enough, the £6.5million structure even appears to come ready-equipped with its own

micro-climate.

“I was sitting in the stand for the Walsall game,” explained developer and Latics fan Paul Whitehead, managing director of Holroy Developments.

“The sun came across — the stand is on the North side, remember — and I had to take my jacket off, it was so warm.”

That’s quite something at ‘Ice Station Zebra’ in October. These really are changing times.