Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has moved to provide an update on plans to redevelop Elland Road. Kinnear was in attendance via Zoom at the club’s Supporter Advisory Board (SAB) earlier this month and he was asked to explain the latest on the club’s plans to improve and renovate the West Stand.
Club owner Andrea Radrizzani has made no secret of his desire to expand Elland Road in the coming years. Of course, plans hinge on both the club’s top flight status and the takeover of the 49ers Enterprises, which could be completed as soon as the end of the current season.
However, the wheels are in motion and Radrizzani revealed in an interview with The Athletic at the start of the season that Kinnear has been tasked with trying to find the finance for such a project. Kinnear has now revealed to the SAB that the club has drawings and commissions for plans, while he has also provided a timeline of how soon work could be completed.
Read more: Leeds United U21s dealt setback to promotion push plans after Stoke City complication
The chief executive also revealed at the meeting that construction costs for the redevelopment of the West Stand have soared by 50 per cent, which has certainly hindered the progress of the club’s strategy.
On the topic of stadium redevelopment, the minutes of the meeting, published on the club website this afternoon, read: “The plans are ongoing and have been stalled recently due to restrictions with COVID and then our position last season with regards to our status in the Premier League, which is similar this season.
“AK (Kinnear) did say though that the club has drawings/commissions for plans. The construction costs have also increased 50% which has meant that this is one of the worst times to commence a major construction project.
“The club will engage in a full consultation with supporters as well as all other stakeholders and the wider Leeds community. The expected timeline is approx. one year for funding/consultation, one year for West Upper build, and one year for West Lower with the intention that stadium capacity is not reduced during the construction period.
“SAB members agreed to reach out to their groups and email the club directly re: any issues that can be fixed in the interim. Whilst the club committed to addressing issues that can be looked at straight away, for example 220 toilet seats were recently replaced, and they can instruct cleaning staff around areas that need extra care.”
Stadium cleanliness at Elland Road was the first item on the agenda at the SAB meeting, following a social media thread that highlighted a number of problems around the ground. Kinnear spoke to the SAB about the issue, admitting the club are working to improve their home facilities.
The minutes of the meeting read: “AK acknowledged that a lot of work needs to be done around the stadium and that there are areas that are not fit for purpose. The club accepts it needs to be better and will look at ways of making some quick improvements in certain areas, especially with regards to cleanliness, toilet seats and improving period products for supporters etc.
“AK also mentioned that as we do have such an old stadium a lot is down to needing significant redevelopment and so the club doesn’t want to spend too much money on areas that will then be demolished. The club needs to find a balance between spending a lot of money and being able to make a real difference, as the club currently has one of the lowest prices for season tickets that comes along with having some of the lowest levels of facilities and that can be a vicious circle as poor facilities are often then treated worse.
“AK mentioned that millions of pounds has been spent on stadium upgrades, meeting Premier League stadium requirements and installing safe standing over the last few seasons but it would take tens of millions of pounds to make the material changes that supporters deserved and therefore a full stand reconstruction was the best solution.”
The full minutes of the meeting can be found here.
READ NEXT:
Javi Gracia explains his Leeds United rotation issue ahead of critical Premier League run
Leeds United line-ups vs Arsenal as Cooper and Struijk both return in new system
How Javi Gracia dealt with Leeds United's difficult international break at Thorp Arch
Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United injuries, Adams, Arsenal plan, Sinisterra, Rodrigo
Pressure building on Weston McKennie at Leeds United following Juventus verdict
