Some additional wheelchair spaces will be available at Stamford Bridge this season.GETTY IMAGES
Chelsea announced an increase in wheelchair spaces available at Stamford Bridge from the start of the '18-19 season. The club was one of those needing to fulfill a "Premier League promise" launched in '15 to reach a minimum number of spaces for wheelchair users inside its home ground. There will be provisions for 219 wheelchair spaces at Stamford Bridge, with the club promising "further improvements" once its new stadium is "built and ready for use" (SKY SPORTS, 2/12).
Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian Owner Ann Budge confirmed the club will lay a new pitch this summer -- with a £1M ($1.38M) "hybrid surface the preferred option." The existing turf was "put down a year ago at a six-figure cost but is already showing extensive signs of wear and tear, with heavy rainfall making underfoot conditions difficult." Despite costs for the new main stand "soaring" to £15M ($20.7M), the club is "keen to install a hybrid surface, which uses natural grass intertwined with artificial turf fibres" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 2/12).
