The club has revealed an artist’s impression of proposed developments to Victoria Park and the surrounding Mill House area.
The plans were revealed as Pools’ new American owner, Landon Smith, as well as staff from the club, were in New York City at the world-renowned Fanatics Fest.
The Pools chief took the opportunity to showcase the club to a new North American audience while also engaging with potential corporate sponsors.
This included showing off the artist’s impression which the accompanying blurb stated was a “once in a generation development opportunity”.
It went on to state that: “The vision is to deliver a seven-day per week regional landmark that activates community sport, education, health, business and events” and “significant progress” has already been made with “land assembly, formal local authority support and partnership funding”.
It added: “The future stadium development represents a significant legacy opportunity for partners including early stage association, naming rights potential and long term brand integration”.
Pools fans quickly took to social media over the plans with
Darren Peart saying: “If true, I’d say redevelopment with what looks like a new stand in Rink End. It will look better and probably take capacity to around 10,000 maybe? Still though, good times ahead” while Toby Cummins commented: “The stadium in the plans looks stunning to be honest, I think Hartlepool could become a popular away day if it’s as good as it looks on here when it’s built!
Harry Stewart Gutridge added: “No Corner Flag pub included in the sketches. I would imagine it would have to be demolished to incorporate the new stands in the Rink End and Mill House sides.”
The ground – which has a current capacity of 7,858 – originally dates back to 1886 and was famously bombed by a German Zeppelin during the First World War while the Rink End was even used as the location for a “Fast Show”, Ron Manager sketch.
Author: Ian
Reporter and author of Pop Life, covering all things news, music and local events.