Hibs to build new 6,500 capacity East Stand??????

Last updated : 10 September 2007 By Steve Forbes
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New East Stand on the way???

According to reports in one of this mornings Sunday newspapers Hibs are set to announce plans to complete the upgrade of Easter Road, by building a new East Stand to replace the existing structure (on the right in the picture above).

Hibs are expected to announce HUGE profits in their end of year accounts, likely to be between £7m-£9m and its thought the extra left over from a debt clearance will be put towards the cost of building a new East Stand.

A new East Stand is likely to mirror the impressive West Stand that holds 6,500 that was built in 2001. Hibs began the rebuilding of Easter Road, by building the Famous Five Stand and South Stand in 1995.

The expected structure will push ground's capacity past the 20,000 mark (20,600 if my maths are correct!!) if it does indeed mirror the West Stand and hold 6,500 seats.

Planning permission is already in place and it's being reported that construction could start as early as January.

This however could pose a problem, as the East Stand houses a number of season ticket holders, who would have to then be housed in the South Stand, the traditional "away" end at Easter Road.

This would mean visiting fans' allocation would be DRASTICALLY cut, probably to well under 1,000.

A Hibs spokesman apparently told the newspaper:

'Redevelopment of the East Stand is something that's on the agenda and planning permission is in place.'

It would be gut wrenching for a lot of fans currently housed in the East to lose the much loved structure, but Easter Road would look stunning upon completion and better toilet facilities and food counters are drastically needed in the dated stand.

Source: Mail on Sunday

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