FSM Industry News
Burnley's Stadium and Operations Manager Doug Metcalfe with Innova's Projects Director Bob Oliver
Burnley FC enhance stadium accessibility with new Changing Place
Premier League team Burnley Football Club has taken steps to make its home ground more inclusive to disabled supporters by installing a Changing Place facility. These changes are part of an ongoing stadium expansion that will
see more accessibility around the Jimmy McIlroy stand. This includes the Changing Place along with raised platform areas around the corners of the stand that will give wheelchair-users good coverage on rainy days and excellent visibility for all matches. Doug Metcalfe, Stadium and Operations Manager at Burnley FC,
said: *“At Burnley, our motto is very much ‘do the right thing’. We’re not dragging our heels when it comes to making our stadium more accessible – we’re doing it because we genuinely want disabled supporters to have everything they could possibly need when they come to Turf Moor. “Installing a Changing Place is just one step in making our stadium better-equipped for both home and away supporters.” Burnley is going above and beyond to give supporters the best experience possible at its stadium. The new accessible stand features three levels of wheelchair seating with additional fixed seating for
friends and family to sit together. The club has also designed and installed a concourse exclusively
for disabled supporters that will have television screens showing the game and a wheelchair-level food and drink kiosk. Innova Care Concepts supplied and installed the Changing Place
at Turf Moor stadium. The company’s Projects Director, Bob Oliver, said: “The progress that Burnley is making in the way of accessibility is very impressive; this level of thought and care should be embraced by football clubs all over the UK. “It also just goes to show how important it is that Changing Places
be installed not only in football stadiums – but in all kinds of public facilities. They’re an investment in your building and your customers’ quality of life.“ Premier League football teams have previously come under pressure
from both the Changing Places campaign and the Equality and Human Rights Commission for failing to provide adequate facilities for disabled supporters. In response, these clubs promised to abide by Accessible Stadia guidelines along with the BS8300:2018 regulations that detail the requirements for a Changing Place facility.
The first female-dedicated stadium?
Barnsley Women's FC have some grand plans to take advantage of the building momentum in the women's game and if Barnsley Council approve their recent planning application they could indeed begin creating what would be the first female-dedicated stadium in the UK. So far the women's team
has relied largely on its parent team, Barnsley FC. Having a
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stadium of their own is a way to build an identity of their own. It might come as soon as second half of 2020, should procedures go well.
The main stadium would offer just one grandstand, at least at the beginning. With two tiers, a roof and female-friendly facilities, it would be a great starting point to become a major women's team. The stadium would also include up to 8 five-a-side pitches, potentially to also be used by local students. The budget is expected within the £4-5 million range, to be financed by private investors and with available grants.
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