Chichester Surrender Top Spot in League
Stadium
Oaklands Park Redevlopment
Major redevelopment plans marking the biggest step forward for football in Chichester for more than a century have been unveiled. They are plans with a touch of the theatrical – the roof of the building proposed for Chichester United Football Club’s Oaklands Park ground reflects the shape of its near neighbour, the Festival Theatre.
The idea is that the scheme will have extensive community use, as well as football, with proposals including conference facilities and a creche. The club was formed through a merger of Chichester City FC and Portfield FC, and Chichester District Council is now planning a housing development on the Portfield ground in Church Road which it owns.
The plan is that some of the proceeds from the sale of the Portfield ground will finance the new development in Oaklands Park which will cost in the region of six hundred thousand pounds. Club Chairman, Simon Kenny, said there were plans for a new clubhouse with seating at the front, hard standing all the way around the ground, pitch improvements and two stands next to the College Lane boundary.
The new facility at Oaklands Park should be ready for the start of the 2003/2004 season.