City Chairman Julian Tagg provides the low-down on work behind the scenes
WHILST CITY boss Paul Tisdale has already completed the signings of Robbie Simpson, Lloyd James and Liam McAlinden in preparation for the 2016/17 season, we take a look at the work going on behind the scenes at the club to keep you in touch with all things Exeter City.Today’s focus is on the improvements being made at St James Park.
Stadium Refurbishments
The club was recently lifted by the Secretary of State’s decision to give the go-ahead to the St James Park Development. Unfortunately, we have been unable to meet with the St James Forum to establish the next steps, and the possibility of a Judicial Review is in their hands at this point.
This is very frustrating for the club. We are looking to complete our intentions of replacing the dilapidated old Grandstand with a modern equivalent that is suitable and will offer an improved, more comfortable experience for our fans.
Much has been said in the press recently and of course there is much that must remain under wraps. All parties are flat out in constant effort to succeed. To reiterate, we remain resolute in our intentions to replace our threatened archaic facilities and provide a new facility that is commensurate with what our fans deserve.
We will keep fans updated on developments as they progress.
The Heritage Lounge
The development of the new Heritage lounge that sees boxes 5-8 being replaced with a new lounge in the Main Stand is progressing very well. The lounge will offer a fantastic view of the pitch and will provide an opportunity for local businesses to network, impress their client base and work closer with the club.
The lounge is self-contained with its own bar, toilets, TVs and PA system and will include promotional opportunities, match-day hosts and speakers and superb food.
The rebuild has come about to underpin and build upon the commercial success of the club in recent times and ensure it can be a pro-active force in the business world moving forward. With this new facility we look forward to hosting some influential speakers at breakfast meetings as well as holding exciting new conferencing opportunities.
St James Park Pitch renovations
The Estates team, led by Clive Pring and Charlie Woolnough, have been working tirelessly to get the St James Park pitch prepared for the start of the 2016/17 season.
The pitch has been fraize-mowed (which removes the grass), had extra drainage put into the surface (involving 300 tonne of sand) and been sown with seed.
They even found the time to donate forty tonnes of topsoil to the Exeter Deaf Academy for horticultural use in the school’s garden nursery.
The aim of the work is to avoid the postponement of any matches during the 2016/17 season to weather damage.
Julian Tagg, Chairman.