The following is a statement from the Club on behalf of Chairman Shahid Azeem providing an update on the ground development project:
It’s been a busy few weeks both on and off the pitch. Since my last development update, Ross and the boys have seen League and Trophy action. We’d all like results to be a bit more consistent – especially at home – but we’ve had some good wins, and the team have shown great spirit. Amazing support against Wrexham and “gut-wrenching” losing in the last minute.
Whilst it looks like we are having lots of meetings, I can assure you that these are very productive. We’ve been having the detailed conversations with local authority planners, Wates and our architects, that are necessary to turn our plans into reality. The next step will be for Wates to draw up proposals that reflect what the planners at Rushmoor Borough Council have told them is important.
We’ve also been talking to people connected to the Club and people active in the Aldershot community to see what they think is important for us to consider as part of the development. I know it’s really important to you that our stadium is ready for league football, that we don’t lose any of the incredible atmosphere and that our heritage is respected in the proposals that we bring forward. It’s important to me too – and that has been the basis on which we’ve briefed our architect team.
Holmes Miller, the architects who are working on the new plans for our stadium, are undertaking the first phase of their work; surveying the stadium and getting to know as much as they can about our Club so that they can work up some options to share with you. We hope to be in a position to share initial designs with you in Spring – subject, of course – to the conversations we’re having with Rushmoor Borough Council.
We’re also working on arranging some opportunities for you to input into the plans. I hope to share more about this in the next update.
I’ve said it before; but it bears repeating because it’s true – this work is critical for the future of our Club. Ultimately, we’re doing this because you deserve a successful team and a great match day experience. I’m looking forward to getting your views over the coming months and together, building a bright future for this proud Club.
I will be in touch again at the end of March with another update on our progress.
Very best wishes,
Shahid
