Published: Wednesday, 10th October, 2007 12:30
Further improvements planned for the Recs
By Jamie MacDonald
Print Article
The old corrugated fence is being replaced by a new boundary wall.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
IT MIGHT not be too long into the future before fans of Alloa Athletic can watch their team from a new stand at Recreation Park.
After the three major projects which have taken place this year are finalised, a new stand is not being ruled out as part of the continued rapid change of the ground.
This year has probably seen more work carried out at the Recs than any other in the club’s history.
Around £800,000 has been spent on the laying of the new artificial surface, construction of a wall in place of the corrugated iron surrounding the ground and the removal of the hill inside the park.
Club director Mike Mulraney said, “In an ideal world we would have a stand for visiting fans but nothing will be done until everything is fully costed.
“We have to structure plans to maximise all financial returns to the club and plans are at an embryonic stage for next year.
“Security and stability for the club is key and we have to build from the grassroots up.”
He added, “After all the work that has gone on this year the first thing we will do is draw breath.”
The all-weather pitch has been voted a success and is widely used by the community, helping to generate vital cash.
The hill which was inside the Recs has been taken away to be used in construction of the Clackmannanshire Bridge and Mr Mulraney estimates this saved the club almost £1 million – which is what it would cost to send the hill’s waste to a landfill site.
Adding to the work on the pitch and the hill, anyone driving along Clackmannan Road will notice that the corrugated fencing, which has been in place for 40 years, has been removed – and is being replaced with a new heavy duty pre-fabricated boundary wall.
Mr Mulraney said, “The wall is going to be quite high and capable of withstanding a heavy crowd surge.
“We have got to have security in mind to comply with new legislation. It will also be significantly more aesthetically pleasing and a world better than what was there before.
“With the removal of the hill we could never have afforded to pay for it to go to landfill, so we are delighted it has gone to the bridge.
“We have seen more change in 12 months than in the last 100 years and there are still facilities for improvements.”
He added, “I think there is a positive feeling at the club at the moment about everything.
“The attitude from the directors, players and management is positive and we all believe we have the right plan and will continue with it.”
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