Premier League Side Crystal Palace Announces Plans To Redevelop Selhurst Park

Premier League side Crystal Palace "announced extensive plans" to redevelop Selhurst Park in a project that could cost £100M ($134.7M), according to Guiseppe Muro of the London EVENING STANDARD. The club will build a new main stand at its home of 93 years and Crystal Palace "will not need to move while the work is being carried out." Selhurst Park currently holds just over 26,000 and Palace Chair Steve Parish "has spoken about his long-term ambition" to expand the capacity to about 40,000. Work on developing the ground in south London "is expected to start within 12 months" and would take its capacity to 34,000. The project is expected to cost between £75M ($101M) and £100M ($134.7M). Parish unveiled the designs and a "formal planning permission application is expected next month." Palace expects the project to "take two years once building work commences" (EVENING STANDARD, 12/4). The BBC reported KSS, the architecture firm behind the project, has "previously redeveloped sporting venues including Anfield, Twickenham and Wimbledon." Palace has been wanting to revamp Selhurst Park since it was promoted to the Premier League in '13. The "centrepiece" of the proposal is a new five-story Main Stand. If "given the go-ahead," the project will "follow a similar route" as to how Liverpool redeveloped Anfield -- meaning the Main Stand will remain in "full operation use" throughout construction (BBC, 12/4). REUTERS' Hardik Vyas reported the club said that plans will be submitted to Croydon Council in January. The improved facilities will include plans for a bigger pitch, increased to 105m by 68m, making Selhurst Park "compliant with UEFA regulations and eligible to host European competitions" (REUTERS, 12/4). The PA reported as well as increasing the capacity, the plans include improved facilities for disabled supporters, "premium hospitality and entertainment facilities" for more than 2,500 fans, a bigger pitch, museum and new community facilities. Parish: "We need a stadium that reflects who we are, how far we have come and where we want to go" (PA, 12/4).