Andy Cullen reveals next Portsmouth project, £1.7m investment needed
Portsmouth CEO Andy Cullen has explained the next seven-figure investment Portsmouth are set to make at Fratton Park.
In another step towards pushing the stadium to meet Premier League-level requirements, a new state-of-the-art sand-based pitch and undersoil heating system will be installed.
The cost of these new enhancements is expected to total around £1.7million following the extensive summer upgrades which already took place, with Cullen hoping works can be completed within the next two to three years.
Speaking to The News [14 October], the Blues chief said: “Obviously we have made some improvements at the same time in terms of the overall facilities and experiences for supporters on matchdays.
“The pitch is definitely part of that project and something we need to look at in the very near future. The limitations are we have an old, soil-based pitch at Fratton Park. A new pitch will have 10-12 years of life. Rather than put a new carpet down, we would look at doing the pitch properly. Certainly, we hope to do that within two to three years, hopefully sooner.
“It would be a hybrid pitch. Since I’ve been here, we’ve had no need for frost covers or undersoil heating, but it is a Premier League requirement. The project of a new pitch with undersoil heating is about £1.7million, which is a sizeable investment among a whole range of capital projects.”
Portsmouth renovations at Fratton Park to soar past £20million
A key point Cullen also pointed out in his interview is that football clubs have to lean on the “generosity of owners” when making such commitments to invest in infrastructure.
This is where the Eisners have been key, signing off on over £15million worth of refurbishment over the summer, including a revitalised North Stand mezzanine, improvements to the Victory Lounge and Fan Zone in the Fratton End, and a brand-new broadcast and analysis gantry atop the South Stand.
For away supporters housed in the Milton End, there is now more space on the concourse as well as more service kiosks, which in turn massively boosts Pompey’s income from visiting fans.
The investments are refreshing to see for supporters given not only is the matchday experience for thousands drastically improved upon, but they are also witnessing their club putting their hands in their pockets to attempt to sustain long-term success off the field.
It is a far cry from the doldrums of the 2010s, and the signs bode well as Pompey make preliminary preparations to attempt to return to the Premier League in years to come.
In other Portsmouth news, David Norris has discussed the importance of new contracts for key figures.
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