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Saracens to splash £23million to see stadium 'transformed'

By Online Editors
Maro Itoje celebrates his try against Harlequins

Saracens this morning announced it has been granted planning permission and secured funding in partnership with Barnet Council to renovate the West Stand at Allianz Park.

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The current West Stand in the multi-purpose North London stadium will be transformed into a modern, fit for purpose event facility and community hub for education, sporting and outreach activities.

The £23 million redevelopment project will include:

  • A fully accessible, weatherproof facility for 3000 spectators
  • First-class hospitality experience
  • A centre of excellence for Middlesex University’s London Sport Institute and Health Faculty that includes a purpose built simulation suite
  • A dedicated education centre operated by the award-winning Saracens Sport Foundation
  • Improved training, medical and competition facilities for all users including athletics, rugby and community sport
  • The creation of a community garden designed by local school children
  • A new media facility

Continue reading below…

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Saracens chief executive officer, Mitesh Velani, said: “We have been working closely with Barnet Council and our community partners developing plans for the West Stand that we can all be proud of. I am delighted we have made positive strides forward.

“The West Stand redevelopment project demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the best environment for our teams to thrive, a modern home where our fans create memories together and extending community initiatives that improve the lives of people in North London.”

James Kennedy, Middlesex University’s Chief Financial Officer, commented: “Middlesex University has been working with Saracens on this project for several years. Together we have developed an exciting proposal for the West Stand and we are very pleased that London Borough of Barnet have been able to support us. The three organisations working together offer an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to Copthall and the Borough.”

The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: “We should never underestimate the huge contribution both Saracens and Middlesex University have already made to the local community in Barnet. Saracens have transformed Allianz Park into a thriving community sports and education facility, hosting a huge range of events for schools, older people and those with learning disabilities. They have also recently opened the new Saracens High School.

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“This is a positive development for communities in Barnet. We are therefore delighted to support Saracens and Middlesex University in their plans to improve and build for the future.”

Gordon Banks, Chief Community Officer at Saracens, commented: “Allianz Park has become a thriving community hub with thousands of residents enjoying the high-quality facilities available at the stadium. The new West Stand will build on this success and through the Saracens Sport Foundation and our partnership with Middlesex University we can help improve the lives of even more local people.”

The Club aims to start the construction phase at the end of the current rugby season (summer of 2019) with completion anticipated in 2020. Matches will continue to be played at Allianz Park during this period and the Club will keep supporters updated throughout the process.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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