THE WOODLANDS STAND
ADAMS PARK
The Woodlands Stand is the newest and by the far biggest of the four stands at Adams Park. Built in the summer of 1996, the new stand replaced the Woodlands Terrace, an all standing area built along with Adams Park in 1990. The Woodlands Stand is a stand to be proud of. It provides the centre piece of the ground and also gives the Club extended hospitality and improved supporter comfort.
SPECIFICATION: 4,940 capacity (all seater), including 1,738 seats family area (lower tier), 20 hospitality boxes (360 seats), disabled area, restaurant, refreshment areas, bars and video screens.
HOW MUCH DID IT COST?: £1.57 million funded by the Football Trust (£1 million) and remainder from the Club.
WHO BUILT IT?: Linpave Construction of Lincoln. They have completed similar projects at Peterborough United, Lincoln City and most recently at
Burnley.
HOW IT WAS BUILT: Planning permission for the Woodlands Stand was granted in October 1995 and construction commenced in March 1996. Preparatory work for the new stand began with the excavation of the banking behind the existing Woodland terrace. The roof of the existing Woodland terrace was removed on April 17th 1996 - this terrace has become the lower tier of the new stand. The first steel work was erected in early May 1996 and completed by the middle of June. The roofing of the new stand is partly transparent to assist in the allowing the maximum amount of sunlight onto the pitch. The addition of the 4,500+ seats commenced during the week commencing 15th July - as is the norm at football grounds nowadays the Club logo (The Swan) and initials
(WWFC) are featured in the seating plan. The lower tier was opened for the game with Gillingham on August 25th 1996 while the upper tier was first opened for the Coca Cola cup tie with Reading on September 3rd. The 20 executive boxes were in use for the first time for the Luton Town game on September 7th (the official opening) while the remaining facilties were completed for the League game with Brentford on September 21st and the Coca Cola Cup game with Nottingham Forest on September 24th.
AWARD:As a result of the ground improvements, Wycombe won the 1996/97 Nationwide Football League Most Improved Stadium Award. Chairman Ivor Beeks said "I think it is fantastic. It is an outstanding achievement for the Club" The building of the new Woodlands Stand was obviously the overriding factor in the winning of the award although Wycombe's pricing policy was also praised. Football League spokesman Chris Hull stated "We were very impressed with the fact that they have considered the family element and have a special initiative where children can watch all their home fixtures for just £35 a season". The new Woodlands Stand cost Wycombe a bargain £1.57 million with £1 million of this coming from the Football Trust. Speaking at a supporters forum following the awards, Beeks added "It was important that we started the stand when we did because if we didn't we would not have had it. They have now run out of money in the Football Trust" He added "Our timing was just right"
HOW MUCH?: For more ticket details go to the Ticket Office
View Pictures of the Woodlands in Progress
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