(Picture: The National League)
By Alex Beard
Bath City have today announced that they have entered into a partnership with private investment company Greenacre Capital for the redevelopment of their Twerton Park stadium.
A club statement revealed that the National League South outfit have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Greenacre for the joint development of the stadium and the neighbouring land owned by Greenacre.
The proposed redevelopment will provide a new grandstand, as well as fresh changing rooms, officials and physio rooms, improved fan facilities and new community facilities that should provide consistent year-round revenue for the club.
And while proposals for the development are still being decided on, it’s possible the area could also house a gym, social club, 3G pitch, meeting spaces and offices.
The aims of this renovation put forward by Bath City are to secure a long-term future for the club at Twerton Park by repaying the club’s debts, provide improved facilities for supporters and players, and to enhance the club’s future revenue streams.
Final proposals will be decided upon in the coming months, while community consultation events will be held this autumn. ADAPT Real Estate, who proposed the venture, have been retained by the club to help advise and co-ordinate the redevelopment.
Nick Blofeld, chair of Bath City FC, told the club’s official website about why this decision was made: “Following Bath City’s change to community ownership earlier this year, we are delighted to confirm our intention to undertake a partial redevelopment of the ground and an upgrade of the facilities,” he said.
“We believe that Bath City should be an integral part of the community in Twerton, and it is the Board’s desire to secure the long term, sustainable future of the football club at Twerton Park.
“We also aim to improve the existing club facilities and make them more appropriate for the wider community, so that the club can become more of a local hub.
“We are a democratic, community-owned club and we will carefully consult with local people, community groups, and supporters to ensure that the redeveloped Twerton Park is a source of pride in Twerton, Bath and beyond.”
Arnold Hereshon, Investment Director of Greenacre Capital, also spoke about the partnership: “Greenacre is a socially responsible investor. We look to turn sustainable and social projects into positive investments, and focus on collaborative partnerships to bring forward our developments,” he said.
“We are hugely excited about the potential at Twerton, and look forward to working with the football club and the community to create a long term, sustainable future.”
Twerton Park opened in 1909, and its Main Stand has been in tact more or less since that time. It has been Bath City’s ground since 1932.