Chatham Town FC reveals plans to build new terrace at Maidstone Road ground
17:26, 08 June 2020
updated: 17:46, 08 June 2020
Football club bosses have revealed plans to revamp part of its home ground to help keep the club moving up the leagues.
Chatham Town FC wants to install a new standing terrace capable of holding scores of spectators at its Maidstone Road home in Chatham.
Designs have been submitted to planning officers at Medway Council as the club seeks to improve facilities for fans as it seeks to continue to expand and gain promotions.
The plans, if approved, will mean the club can build a raised viewing position 1.2m above pitch level raising by 30cm at each level behind the goal in the main building at The Bauvill Stadium.
Documents published state the terrace will be constructed within the confines of the existing building and roof with a new corridor built underneath the stand linking changing rooms and facilities with direct access to the pitch from one entrance and exit.
The views from the bar area will remain unchanged and the terrace will only be accessed from outside.
Planning statements say there will be no other alterations to the main roof structure or rear wall and the building's overall footprint will not change.
Club chairman Kevin Hake says the project is in response to "increasing demand with attendances rising" in past seasons as it continues to expand within the community.
"We wanted to make sure the match day experience is well catered for.
"The club is growing and we've done a lot of work to the stadium to date. We did the 3G pitch last year."
He added once the work on the terrace is finished it will provide better views across the pitch. The club says it is not yet known when the project will be completed.
Mr Hake said: "Our long term plan is to climb up through the leagues. We're in a rapidly expanding area and we want to keep up with that.
"Things are just moving a bit slowly but that's to be expected in the current climate."
Mr Hake said the club is facing "really difficult times" at the moment with no income but is "still going and moving on forwards".
"People have realised what you miss and what's important," he added. "We hope people will be coming back to the club."
Football has taken a back-seat during the lockdown but Mr Hake says plans are beginning to be put in place to allow a "phased return" for junior teams to start playing again in the coming weeks under government and FA guidelines.
But despite the game being put on hold for almost three months, club officials have been busy working in the community to make sure people have not been left isolated or without help.
Mr Hake added: "We do a lot of good stuff in the community. We're looking to be a centre of sporting excellence but also for mental health and wellbeing."
One of the areas the club is continuing to work on is supporting the community to improve their own health.
It runs three free fitness sessions every week with more than 300 people attending as the club looks to play its part in helping reduce obesity in the Medway Towns.
