UWE Stadium

Arturus Architects have worked closely with Bristol Rovers over a number of years to explore options for the Club in order to provide a new stadium for the club in North Bristol. The club made their decision in June 2011 to move to the University of the West of England (UWE) campus in Frenchay and create a new 20,000 seat stadium there. This site has excellent travel links both from public transport and by car via the ring road and motorways as well as extensive parking which can be shared with the University.

It is hoped that Bristol Rugby, who have been sharing the Memorial Ground with Bristol Rovers, will move as well. The new stadium has been designed to allow for this with open concourses and has the benefit of the spectators club bar overlooking the pitch. The overall design has been optimised to be economical from a construction point of view whilst at the same time providing first class viewing for supporters which will include up to 1,000 premium seats.

This will be the first major stadium to be built on a university campus in the UK and will provide teaching space within its facilities which includes a budget gym and convenience store. As well as the usual facilities such as changing rooms and management offices the club itself will have a major function suite holding up to 750 people, 28 boxes, a child care facility, a club shop and a major supporters clu8b bar which will be open to students.

Technical aspects include the following:

• The setting of the stadium bowl into the ground, using the topography of the site, results in there being no need for the usual vomitories and associated loss of seating space.
• The stadium is fully enclosed with the floodlights built into the leading edge of the roof thus minimising light and sound spillage into the adjoining residential area.
• The use of translucent glass fibre on the leading edge of the roof will create a light and airy feel within the stadium which will enhance the match day experience.
• The design will allow for the stadium to be increased in size to 25,000 seat capacity, if required, without changing the external appearance.