In conjunction with Gateway Pathfinder, Hull City Council has plans in place for an exciting regeneration of West Park, the home of The KC Stadium.
Up to £7million could be invested as part of the council's wider £400million regeneration of the Newington and St Andrew's area of Hull. The proposed work will mark the beginning of a planned network of green spaces around the area.
It is expected that over the next 5-6 years West Park will undergo a spectacular transformation, with the addition of lighting displays, artwork and sculptures, a new paddling lake, and a skate park and climbing wall.
In the first phase of the redevelopment, £1.4million will be made available for improvements to the Anlaby Road entrance. The proposed re-design will look to recreate the park's original 19th century pillars with an added contemporary twist as the council establishes a threshold worthy of the KC Stadium.
The following phase, set to take place in May, will see the construction of parallel pathways beginning at Walton Street and Anlaby Road, before meeting in front of the stadium's West Stand Reception. The paths, which are designed to ease the flow of supporters to and from the KC Stadium, will provide an attractive and practical means of access to the home of the Tigers.
KC Stadium Operations Director John Cooper believes that the proposed regeneration of the park can only have a positive effect.
"As the work is being done as part of the Gateway Project, it is appropriate that the regeneration will begin at the Park's gates," he said.
"I think that the one thing the stadium has been lacking is a worthy entrance. In the KC Stadium we have an iconic building which serves as a landmark of the regeneration that has taken place in the city. It's great news, therefore, that something is being done to create an added wow factor for home and away fans alike.
"We have a 25,000 capacity stadium situated right in the city centre, so it is vital to make it as accessible as possible," he added.
"The two additional pathways are both over six metres wide, and have been designed specifically with this in mind. They will allow for the constant flow of a large number of fans both arriving at, and leaving the stadium."
