Lincoln City have issued an update on the changes made at Sincil Bank (The ProAmpac Stadium) following feedback from supporters after the opening home league fixture against Portsmouth.
A significant amount of work was undertaken at the ground during the summer, encompassing huge changes to the matchday experience. While the club are proud of what has been delivered, they accept that some elements will need to be refined as the new areas are used by supporters.
The club statement addressed several wider teething problems encountered during the reopening of the stadium. The main issue, and one they have accepted responsibility for, included basics such as some areas not being stocked with supplies such as toilet roll. The preparation process has subsequently been reviewed ahead of future fixtures, but at least they have addressed and apologised for that oversight.
One of the most common issues raised following the Portsmouth game concerned the lack of seating within the Fan Village. City say fixed seating has always been planned, but they want to understand how people move around the area when it is busy before confirming its permanent layout. Temporary seating will therefore be introduced throughout the Fan Village for tonight’s game against Blackburn Rovers. Its use will be reviewed after each match before the club settles on a longer-term arrangement.
Several ‘belly bars’ will also be installed around the columns, providing supporters with additional places to rest food and drinks. Those were included within the original design but could not be completed before the first home league fixture. Again, little tweaks we expected to see as the season rumbled on.
The big screen was an issue I had, and the club are continuing to assess how it can be incorporated into the matchday experience. Different content, timings and uses will be tested during the coming weeks, with the club noting the positive response to the pre-match Portsmouth video, which featured the air-raid siren and moments from the club’s history. Luckily for me, work is also taking place to introduce a permanent running match clock inside the stadium.
The View hospitality suite in the Upper Rilmac Stand will remain closed for Tuesday’s fixture, which will disappoint some supporters. Remedial work was required on the fire curtain system, and City believe that this was completed and appropriately certified by specialists on Friday. Building Control have not yet been able to examine the supporting documentation because of the bank holiday weekend, meaning the club has not received the approval required to reopen the hospitality suite. The seating in the Upper Rilmac Stand is unaffected and will remain available as normal.
Despite the initial problems, the club praised the work undertaken by staff, contractors, partners and volunteers during a demanding summer. They also thanked supporters for their patience and feedback, promising to continue reviewing and refining the matchday experience as the new areas become established.
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