Pro12 Rugby side Glasgow Warriors hopes "to get the green light for an artificial surface" at its Scotstoun home as part of a major upgrade of the stadium. The club has been "hampered by a spate of call-offs in recent years due to the current grass surface struggling to cope with heavy rain." The "move for a synthetic playing field comes after a season in which the Warriors were unable to play three matches at Scotstoun and a fourth game was postponed." Councillors on Glasgow City Council’s Executive Committee will be asked to approve the plans, "which will also see improved athletics and rugby training facilities, create a new events throws area and improve the existing outdoor running track." The £750,000 ($1.1M) project "will be funded by Glasgow City Council, Scottish Rugby/Glasgow Warriors and sportscotland" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 6/6).
GETTING THE BOOT: Scottish rugby side Murrayfield Wanderers "face the boot from Murrayfield to make way for a posh hotel." The club was told last month it would "need to find a new home" after the Scottish Rugby Union decided not to renew its 25-year lease. The move comes as the SRU prepares to "build a multi-million pound hotel on land at the Edinburgh stadium." Wanderers "will now have to find cash to move to a new location" after the '16-17 season (DAILY RECORD, 6/3).
FACILITY BRIEFS ...
The Environment Agency has "objected to a proposed 600-home development due to fears that high rise buildings will put a nearby river in the shade." It said that the planned £500M ($723M) development next to the Madejski Stadium, has "not adequately assessed the impact to wildlife in the adjacent Foudry Brook." Objections to the proposed League Championship side Reading development -- called Royal Elm Park -- have "been raised over how shade from the high-rise tower blocks -- some of which will be 270ft in height -- will affect habitation in Foudry Brook." Reading has said that "it is working with Reading Borough Council to resolve the issues raised by the Environment Agency" (BBC, 6/6).
Valley Parade "will have a new name for next season." Coral Window decided "not to renew" its long-time title sponsorship beyond the end of the current contract. League One side Bradford City has "drawn up brochures offering the stadium rights on a three-year deal." Club CEO James Mason said, "We’ve already put our feelers out to a couple of potential sponsors. But we may also toy with the idea of going back to basics and just calling it Valley Parade" (THE TELEGRAPH AND ARGUS, 6/6).
