Celts� big plan for Paradise

[ian1964 10,720]

CELTIC want to transform the area around their stadium and link it with other venues that will be used during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

 

The club�s long-term vision for the area around its stadium will be revealed this week.

 

Officials have submitted a masterplan for ââ?¬Å?The Celtic Triangleââ?¬Â and it is expected to secure approval from city councillors on Friday.

 

The plans include the creation of bars and restaurants around Celtic Park, a new club museum, walkways linking it with other 2014 venues, a plaza and the potential for a new hotel, casino or shops. It also has proposals for housing.

 

No costs have been revealed and club officials insist the project will depend on its economic viability, but the deadline of summer 2014 ââ?¬â?? when Glasgow hosts the Games ââ?¬â?? will put pressure on the club to deliver some of the vision across the next 36 months.

 

Celtic Park will host the opening ceremony of the Games and city councillors are concerned that the area around the stadium ââ?¬Å?does not provide an attractive settingââ?¬Â.

 

They said ââ?¬Å?the current situation is not acceptable with regard to the councilââ?¬â?¢s ambitions to host a world-class event for the 2014 Gamesââ?¬Â.

 

Celtic�s plans will also tie in with a new four-lane carriageway that will cut through the East End linking the M74 and M8 via London Road.

 

The East End Regeneration Route will cut through land used as a coach park, leading to an agreement between Celtic and Glasgow City Council over matchday access to the car park of the new National Indoor Sports Arena.

 

The vision would initially see:

 

* The refurbishment and extension of the Victorian London Road Primary School to incorporate a restaurant, cafe and bar, as well as a new club museum.

* Landscaping of the immediate area around Celtic Park.

* The creation of a plaza space.

 

Phase two would see ââ?¬Å?a new landmark buildingââ?¬Â on the site where the East End Regeneration Route meets London Road ââ?¬Å?creating an iconic gateway to the stadium areaââ?¬Â, with early ideas including a hotel, more restaurants and bars, a casino and shops.

 

A council report detailing the plan says: ââ?¬Å?It is recognised that the design of the new buildings at this location should be of the highest standard to reflect the importance of this corner of the triangle as a key gateway to the site, particularly on the approach from the East End Regeneration Route.ââ?¬Â

 

A further phase, expected to be completed by 2014 and considered by the council ââ?¬Å?to be the most critical element of the public realm strategyââ?¬Â, would see walkways linking the stadium to the route and the Indoor Arena.

 

The plan claims there is potential for a residential development to the west of the stadium and at the corner of Springfield Road and London Road, as well as ââ?¬Å?further small-scale commercial or light industrial developmentââ?¬Â to the north.

 

The report, which is calling for council approval in principle this Friday, states: ââ?¬Å?It is recognised that market conditions may influence future land use proposals with regard to these more long-term ambitions for the site and these aspects of the masterplan will develop in discussion between the city council and Celtic FC.ââ?¬Â

 

Strathclyde Police was consulted on crowd control issues and Celtic officials also had talks with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office and the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Course over safety matters.

 

The police are said to have broadly welcomed the proposal because it will improve crowd management on matchdays, while Archi*tecture and Design Scot*land, which advises the Govern*ment on ways to get better quality in design and architecture in the public and private sectors, said the plan would address the poor setting of the stadium.

 

A Celtic spokesman said: ââ?¬Å?Clearly, this proposal is very preliminary and has a long, long way to go.

 

ââ?¬Å?We are working with Glasgow City Council and Clyde Gateway in a sensible and pragmatic manner but ultimately, the project will depend on a range of factors, including of course, economic viability.ââ?¬Â

 

Councillor George Ryan, who is responsible for business and the economy, said: ââ?¬Å?We are interested in the details of this masterplan, which could contribute to the regeneration of the East End, and we are keen to see the first phases of the project delivered before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.ââ?¬Â

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/editor-s-picks-ignore/celts-big-plan-for-paradise-1.990425

[CammyF 7,934]

No doubt all this to be funded by Glasgow City Council.

 

Cammy F