Top flight survival is key to plan for a new stadium

Bath are looking at what they term "a number of other long-term options" for their future playing facilities in the city.

Bath's current Recreation Ground home is restricted to a capacity of under 12,000, which has been an issue for several seasons.

The west country club feel a stadium with capacity far closer to 20,000 is desirable.

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Bath are currently three places off the bottom of the Guinness Premiership table, six points clear of Leeds Carnegie, and it is clear that top-flight survival would be crucial to any ground expansion or new stadium plans they might have.

Their Premiership survival was handed a huge boost over the festive period when they followed up a win over Gloucester with a 14-12 success over Leeds at Headingley. That win over Leeds was as a huge shot in the arm for their bid to survive.

Bath officials are eager to build a better facility for their supporters and players. But survival must come as well.

"The challenge has always been to secure an alternative site in the heart of the city," said Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld.

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"The club are actively looking for alternative locations within the city and, as part of this, are exploring as one possibility part of the greater Western Riverside site.

"Should a new arena on Bath Western Riverside be possible, then the Rec would be used to promote other sports, as well as becoming home to the (Bath) minis, and hosting the ladies and the most important youth team matches.

"The partnership with the Recreation Ground Trust, Somerset Cricket and Bath Rugby has significant potential for future and appropriate development on the Recreation Ground.

"We are grateful for the way in which the (Bath and North East Somerset) Council and the Recreation Ground Trust have conducted discussions with a view to finding an acceptable way forward on the Rec, and that they will be working closely with us as we move forward.

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"We must now progress the process as quickly as practically possible to secure the future of Bath Rugby in the heart of Bath for the benefit of the club and its loyal supporters."

Bath want to keep and extend its lease on the Recreation Ground, and formal proposals to that end could be submitted to the Charity Commission within weeks.

Any move to a new site, though, would be unlikely to happen for some time.

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