Expansion to 60,000 on its way?

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... nd-3859592

Exclusive: Manchester City aim to expand capacity of Etihad Stadium to 60,000
15 May 2013 23:00
Blues to consult with about scheme to 6,000-seater third tier on the South Stand and increase capacity to 54,000 - and could later do the same to the North Stand

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An artist's impression of the planned expansion of the Etihad Stadium
City are to discuss plans for a proposed £50m expansion of the Etihad Stadium by 2015.

The Blues want to speak with local residents before forging ahead with the scheme, which would add a 6,000-seater third tier on the South Stand and increase capacity to 54,000.

The club, sensitive to the escalation of cost of match tickets, hopes to provide a significant number of cheap seasoncards - costing under £300 – in the new section, which would also include an hospitality area.

The decision to start consultation on the project was given the go-ahead at a board meeting held in London on Saturday morning.

City will start talking to residents closest to the stadium next month, and could submit a planning application in Autumn for third tiers to be added to both ends of the ground.

That would eventually raise the capacity to 60,000 – making it the third biggest club ground in England behind Old Trafford and the Emirates - but while they want to press ahead with the South Stand expansion, there are no concrete plans to develop the North Stand just yet.

If the planning stage goes smoothly, City hope to begin work on the South Stand in January, and are aiming for a completion date of summer 2015.

As part of the expansion, the club is set to come up with a revised plan for car parking on match days, to minimise the impact of more fans travelling to games, and for other events.

The decision comes after the Blues sold out all but one of their Premier League games this season, with demand suggesting they will fill the increased capacity.

It is also a response to indications, during consultations with supporters, that more cheap seats and more mid-range hospitality would be welcomed.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Apologies, can the two threads be merged?

[ross.mcfc]

Looks good.

People will worry about the empty seats and I am sure it will only be be at 80/90% full must of the time but if the tickets are sold properly it wont appear that way on tv.

Come the end of a close title race, big champions league nights, games against big clubs we would fill 60,000 no problem.

How awesome would the bottom tiers looks once safe standing is introduced.

[bluebananamilksheikh]

I deleted the one I started :-)

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

I deleted the one I started :-)

Thank you. I don't actually know how to do that.

[Goaters 103]

You can guarantee that if you are currently sitting in the 2nd tier, unless you have cash to burn youll soon be priced up to the third one.

[Ted Hughes]

You can guarantee that if you are currently sitting in the 2nd tier, unless you have cash to burn youll soon be priced up to the third one.

Probably, & then maybe the 1st tier at the sides too, but it was always likely thanks to that wanker Platini & his corrupt cartel.

It will be great to have a big end (missus) & hopefully will be kept to a reasonable price.

Thank you Sheikh Mansour, once again.

[Nickyboy]

I've heard that eventually the entire middle tier will be corporate and hospitality seats.

[lets all have a disco]

I'm happy to move from the first tier into the expanded SS for 300 notes a season i cant wait to see some more firm plans and drawings. Apparently it's 50 million to do it including the campus for 150 that's a significant investment in infrastructure,But hey the sheikh is only in it till he gets bored.

[Alex Sapphire]

I've heard that eventually the entire middle tier will be corporate and hospitality seats.

"Club Etihad" anyone?

[john@staustell]

About time

Our matchday revenue is appalling. Even much worse than that lower-capacity old wreck that is Anfield.

With matches selling out a couple of weeks beforehand it's clear it is needed, and I'm sure the corporate machine is in overdrive to fill more restaurants.

[Nigels Tackle]

how long did it take to knock up that artist's impression?

[john@staustell]

how long did it take to knock up that artist's impression?

Wasn't it an original from the Commonwealth Stadium stage, showing possible football use?

[Ted Hughes]

About time

Our matchday revenue is appalling. Even much worse than that lower-capacity old wreck that is Anfield.

With matches selling out a couple of weeks beforehand it's clear it is needed, and I'm sure the corporate machine is in overdrive to fill more restaurants.

I wonder if they are planning to rebuild boxes at the back of the stand, as they will be losing a load of corporate stuff otherwise ?

Or perhaps they have decided that eating & watching football simultaneously is not all it's cracked up to be, so put the restaurants elsewhere & then give prawn muchers a seat in the middle tier ?

[simon12]

Tenders for the expansion of both ends had to be in a week last Friday so it looks good.

[Swales4ever]

The club, sensitive to the escalation of cost of match tickets, hopes to provide a significant number of cheap seasoncards - costing under £300 – in the new section, which would also include an hospitality area.

has always been on the cards: well done Messrs. ETHIAD!

everyone happy: Long Suffering Breed and Born Blues, "Tourists" (Italians included) and the Cashier... :-)

[Dameerto]

£300 is the kind of level I could think about, I doubt I have a chance with no season ticket history though.

[john@staustell]

Cheap season tickets and FFP dont go together I'm afraid.

[john68]

Ground expansion is old news....we all knew about this shit ages ago.

Why would they dig it out now? Suppose they have run out of crap to accuse Mancini of and so need to use this to distract fans from the real issues.

What arrogant bastards they are turning out to be.....Swales was a twat but at least he was a blue one.

[Original Dub]

Ground expansion is old news....we all knew about this shit ages ago.

Why would they dig it out now? Suppose they have run out of crap to accuse Mancini of and so need to use this to distract fans from the real issues.

What arrogant bastards they are turning out to be.....Swales was a twat but at least he was a blue one.

Come on pal. Don't give in now!