Dream coming true for Millers’ chairman as new stadium rises

Chairman Tony Stewart described seeing the 20 metre high frame of the main west stand being hoisted into place as a “dream come true” but said the truly exciting part was yet to come.

The metal frame of all four stands at the new stadium, which is located on the former site of tap-makers Guest and Chrimes, will be in place by Christmas and the first supporters will click through the turnstiles at the start of the 2012-2013 football season. July 11 is the target date for completion.

Mr Stewart said: “Construction started three-and-a-half months ago and there’s been a lot of preparation on the groundwork. But this week, we can really see all our efforts coming to fruition.

“On Monday, the first steelwork on the west stand was erected and now comes the exciting part of watching the stands take shape.”

The club, who play in League Two, have been based at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield since leaving their old Millmoor ground in 2008.

“I remember watching the last match at Millmoor in 2008, when we beat Barnet 1-0,” said Mr Stewart.

“Since then we have had the experience of football being taken out of Rotherham and moved out to Sheffield. Now we are bringing it back and it’s a dream come true.

“It will be an iconic and unique stadium for Rotherham United.”

Fans have been able to view artists’ impressions of the new stadium since the final layout was approved in August, but they can now see it physically take shape.

The bowl shape of the new stadium has been designed to maximise atmosphere and ensure all spectators have a clear view of the pitch. The steps to the roof will be filled with polycarbonate bands to keep noise inside the stadium.

The main west stand will be higher than the other three sides and house exhibition and banqueting facilities for up to 600 guests, as well as VIP boxes.

The other three stands will have polycarbonate panels to allow natural light to reach the pitch.

The chairman said that although the stadium would be sponsored, the club would not follow the example of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town in naming their ground exclusively after a company.

“People have been invited to come up with names, but because the stadium is on the edge of the River Don it will be something like Riverside, Water View or Waterfront.

“We are currently in talks and should have a decision on the name by Christmas.”

It is envisaged away supporters will be housed behind the goal in the south stand although in the event of smaller followings, travelling fans could be allocated a section of the east stand along the side. This could see home fans behind both ends for certain games.

Mr Stewart is hoping to replicate the success experienced by other clubs in the region, such as Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield after they moved into new venues.

Doncaster were promoted to the Championship through the League One play-offs in their second season at the Keepmoat Stadium, while Chesterfield went up as champions from League Two in their first campaign at the new B2net Stadium.

“We have seen in those cases that when the club moves into new stadiums, the crowd has doubled,” he said.

“We have looked at the history of Rotherham United and we have studied the facts and figures and believe that moving forward we can match the success of clubs like Doncaster and Chesterfield.

“The Don Valley as been very good to us but it is essentially a running track converted to a football stadium. All it didn’t have will be going into the new ground.”

In the long-term, the stadium can be expanded by a further 3844 seats if necessary by raising the north and south stands. This would increase disabled capacity from the planned 120 spaces to 220.

Andy Kemp, who is overseeing the project for GMI Construction, said: “The steel erection has begun, and will continue until January when the next phase will take over, but by the end of the year the stadium will be very much visible.

“Next week a second team will come on the site and the south stand will start. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the roof on in early January or February.

“It’s a very good project, we’re very pleased to be involved with it, especially as it’s going to be a community project and it’s great to see it growing.”