NEWCASTLE are said to be considering a “bubble wrap” stadium expansion.
The Magpies are planning to boost St James’ Park by 8,100 seats.
AlamyNewcastle could have a stadium with a ‘bubble wrap’ look[/caption]
GettyThe club are considering expanding St James’ Park[/caption]
Plans would see the stadium’s capacity jump from to 60,300 seats from 52,000.
And Newcastle have now engaged architects to design plans for a redevelopment of the iconic ground.
There is also an option of building a new stadium at the nearby Leazes Park, which could boast a capacity of 70,000.
The club has met with architects KSS and Ryder with drawings of the two options being produced.
And the Mail claims that some of the drawings have shown the ground to have a “bubble wrap” design around it.
It would, therefore, look similar to Ligue 1 outfit Le Havre’ Stade Oceane.
The French ground has a bubble wrap design, which is a striking blue colour.
If Newcastle were to remain at St James’ Park it is thought the ground would not drastically change its appearance.
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However, it would be expected to undergo major work through the 133-year venue.
The extra seating would be expected to be incorporated into a redeveloped Gallowgate End.
GettyPlans could increase St James’ Park’s capacity by 8,000[/caption]
The report has claimed that a formal announcement over the stadium’s future could be delayed until the end of the season.
Newcastle’s chief operating officer, Brad Miller insisted that the aim is to remain at St James’ Park.
He said in November: “The first choice is to stay. If we stayed at St. James’, we have 52,000 seats already.
“It comes with significantly more money if we transform it and it will look amazing. That’s option one.
“Option two is if we were to move away, and not too far away as we aren’t going to stretch the elastic band to the point of breaking.
“The second option, we are looking at it seriously as it does have the potential to earn more than twice as much in terms of revenue, compared to a transformation of St. James’ Park. And more seats, a lot more seats potentially.
“The brilliant thing about St. James’ is it is an iconic location, the atmosphere and the competitive edge it gives the team on the pitch – and it has 52,000 seats already.
“A new stadium doesn’t have that, and we’d have to pay for all those seats again.
“But a new stadium has the potential to earn a lot more, both on match days and non-match days.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, everything we are doing, do we invest and transform St James’ as we see it today on site where we are? Or do we take that bold move and think about moving?”
The club could also move into a new stadium Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
