Selhurst Park redevelopment. Pic: Crystal Palace Football Club
Crystal Palace Football Club are set to spend between £75 and £100 million to increase their stadium capacity from 26,000 to 34,000 as part of ambitious plans to redevelop Selhurst Park.
Having already tempted fans last month, the Croydon club’s Chairperson, Steve Parish has now revealed that work on their current home ground could begin within the next 12 months.
This will include an impressive new five-storey and 13,500-seater stand, which will consist of an all-glass front in reference to the club’s past when the South London stadium lay close to the original Crystal Palace on Sydenham Hill.
The refurbishment plans include a bigger pitch, better disabled access and also a new club museum.
Croydon Council will receive the plans in January before a decision will then be made in regard to planning permission. A formal planning application will be presented by the end of January 2018.
The project is estimated to take around three years, although the Main Stand will remain in full use throughout the entire building process.
A NEW SELHURST PARK.
WITH A NEW CRYSTAL PALACE.
FOR A NEW ERA.
🏟 https://t.co/KL07p6OfCt #CPFC pic.twitter.com/iFHC42UKiE— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 4, 2017
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Parish said: “We need a stadium that reflects who we are, how far we have come and where we want to go – a stadium that South London can be proud of, a home worthy of our incredible support and unique atmosphere and this great Premier League we represent.
“We have worked long and hard and looked at several options over the years, including returning to the original site of Crystal Palace, which wasn’t viable. While we can’t go back to it, we can build a new one and today I am proud, in conjunction with our partners KSS, to introduce a new Selhurst Park with a new Crystal Palace for a new era.
“We are creating a new home worthy of our Club, our supporters and our community, and a celebration of our 112 years in South London.”
Selhurst Park has been the club’s home since 1974 and is currently the 15th largest in the Premier League.
Stadium architects KSS will be in charge of the ambitious new project, having previously worked on developments at Anfield, Twickenham and Wimbledon.
KSS director, Nick Marshall said: “Our brief was to create an impressive sense of arrival and an experience the fans can be proud of, retaining the special atmosphere at one of the best grounds in the country.”
Founded back in 1905, the Eagles play in the Premier League and currently occupy 18th place in the league standings.
As for their manager, Roy Hodgson took control of his boyhood club back in September, being appointed on a two-year contract.
Twitter: @LukeVanceBarr
