LONDON: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been granted permission to construct two new stands at Lord’s to replace the existing Compton and Edrich stands and increase the stadium’s capacity to 31,000, it said on Wednesday.
The new three-tier stands, to be built at the stadium’s Nursery End, will cost 50 million pounds ($64.37 million).
The redeveloped stands will improve sightlines for spectators and offer other amenities, such as integrated catering, wheelchair accessible spaces, and lift access to all levels, the MCC said.
Construction will begin on Aug 24 after England’s second Ashes Test against Australia and the new seats will be ready for use in 2020, the MCC said in a statement, adding that the fully fitted-out facilities would be completed by 2021.
“We are excited to be commencing another transformational development at Lord’s and, by raising the capacity to 31,000 we will be able to welcome more spectators to enjoy matches at the largest cricket ground in the country,” MCC chief executive and secretary Guy Lavender said.
The MCC’s members will be asked to approve the plans at the club’s annual general meeting in May 2019.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2019
Comments (3) Closed
Fully capacity will only be used for Indian matches.
I think it's a great idea but if no one shows up to watch the match then what's the point of wasting money. Why not hold Pakistan matches there also ?
Great news for the unbiased global and domestic cricket fans that the management and administration of the famous and historic global cricket headquarters; Lords Cricket Stadium, based in the heart of London, England, has decided to undergo and effect yet another transformational development at the jewel of the crown cricket ground to increase its crowd capacity to 31,000 and provide better viewing, wheelchair, elevator, catering, restrooms and other similar facilities for the spectators. Well done and keep it up.