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Time to raise the roof

Trust STFC unveil ambitions

plans for Town’s Stratton Bank hopes that any regeneration – the Stratton Bank as a major part

which would also include the of attracting more new fans to the
TRUST STFC have committed to Trust and they agreed that we would creation of a community garden County Ground and Welsh stressed
building a roof on the Stratton undertake a feasibility survey. This behind the stand – will benefit that they are fully committed to
Bank at the County Ground, with an has involved talking to a number residents on Shrivenham Road as completing the project.
expressed intention of getting the of very experienced builders and well as supporters. The £500,000 needed to finance
structure in place by the start of the constructors, including Reid Steel “We’ve had a lot of intense the construction, according to
2016/17 season. of Christchurch in Dorset, who discussions with the contractors, Welsh, would ideally be made up of
Acting on the authority of constructed the stand at the Ealing there have been site surveys and an 80 per cent contribution from
Swindon Town, representatives Road end at Brentford. we’ve covered some fairly detailed businesses and 20 per cent from
of the Trust have engaged Beard “Also, on the groundwork side, stuff to date. We’re approaching other sources, such as supporter
Construction and Reid Steel to we are working with a local, very the outcome of that site survey donations or fundraising.
undertake surveys of the existing well respected team at Beards. Very and then we’ll be in a position to “We are determined to achieve
stand and its foundations, with a shortly we are going go back to the club and this. We have talked to some
view to submitting blueprints to the to be proceeding talk about timescales, corporate supporters about
council for planning permission this with an invasive STFC have rebuffed bids for getting planning providing some finance for the stand
summer. site survey to two of their brightest stars. permission, talking but we will also be talking to the
Plans have been drawn up for see what is Town turned down an offer of to the council as wider public and fans of Swindon to
a £500,000 propped cantilever actually under nearly £2million from a Turkish freeholders and, support this as well. We’re quietly
stand, which the Trust intend to be the terracing club for Aussie Massimo very importantly, determined to get this done,” said
funded partly by corporate finance because that Luongo, while there was also talking to local Welsh.
and partly with contributions will be very interest in Yaser Kasim to the residents,” he said. “We would like to see something
from benefactors and fans, and important in “We think this like an 80-20 split. I think that
tune of £1million.
constructors were on site in early how the stand is will enhance the would be great. I think a lot of
February assessing the work which constructed. experience of living people recognise that, to move the
would need to be done. “We’re looking at a there. It will tidy up a very County Ground forward, this needs
Trust board member Mike Welsh, propped cantilever roof which untidy, scrappy area behind the to occur.
who has been overseeing the means there will be a stanchion due existing Bank and reduce the noise “They (the club) have been very
project, told Link Sport: “We’re to costings. The stand at Brentford as well. positive. Everyone who works at
very keen to improve the matchday cost £850,000 and we are looking “I’d like to see it opened for the Swindon Town understands the
experience of fans and we think one at something around £500,000 for season after next, so the season necessity of doing this.
of the key items is that the Stratton 2,250 seats, which will only have starting August 2016. Hopefully “We’re here for the long haul,
Bank should have a roof. It was first one central stanchion.” by then we’ll be an established we’re here for whoever eventually
mooted in 1958 but the Trust has Planning permission has previously Championship side but this stand runs this club. Lee Power is doing a
now committed itself to working been granted for a Stratton Bank will happen whether we are a wonderful job at the moment but
with the club to create a roof over roof taller than the option currently Championship side or whatever we’re taking the long view and the
the Stratton Bank. being discussed by the Trust, the division we are in.” Stratton Bank is very much part of
“The club were approached by the club and its contractors. Welsh The Trust see placing a roof on that.”
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