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RANGERS Football Club has unveiled plans to transform its Ibrox stadium into ‘one of the most accessible sports arenas in Europe’.
The club announced that a phased series of works has been agreed to improve its facilities for disabled fans, which will include the introduction of an additional 270 spaces for wheelchair users.
Work is scheduled to begin this summer, with further construction earmarked for the summers of 2024 and 2025. Rangers explained that summer periods have been chosen to ensure regular season matches are not disrupted by the project.
Phase one is set to commence in the coming weeks and will include ‘key’ structural works in the Broomloan and Copland Stands, including the extension of concourses to create space for additional accessible toilets; the creation of additional accessible kiosk points; and alterations for the installation of lifts to the accessible platforms.
The second phase will then be undertaken during the summer of 2024, during the club’s close season. Work will include the creation of new platforms to accommodate new wheelchair spaces and the construction of cantilevers to house new, general access seating.
Phase three will then be undertaken in the close season of 2025, with the Sandy Jardine Stand becoming the focus. It will see the installation of additional, accessible seating within the stand. Rangers said this will result in the loss of some seats, however additional seating will be installed in the Broomloan and Copland Stands. The overall stadium capacity is set to increase from 50,817 to 51,500.
Rangers Football Club’s disability access officer, John Spiers, commented, “These fantastic plans will provide Rangers’ disabled supporters with some truly world-class accessible facilities.
“The club are aware our current offering for disabled supporters is not good enough for a club of our standing, however, these works will ensure that Rangers will provide the highest standard of accessibility for our disabled supporters. They will be able to attend matches in significantly more comfort, with hugely improved access to the stadium, as well as fully accessible facilities and views of the match.
“I look forward to the completion of these works and to welcoming so many more disabled supporters to Ibrox in the coming seasons.”
