Swans And Ospreys To Have Same Size Pitch

Swansea council have confirmed that both the Swans and the Ospreys will play on the same size pitch at the new White Rock Stadium when the clubs move there over the summer of 2005.

Initially it was thought that the two teams would have the pitch adjusted for their games but both clubs have agreed that they will keep to the same size to alleviate any potential confusion of separate pitch markings in close proximity to each other.

The council have also stated that when used for football the pitch will be surrounded by a 4m grass area between the touchlines and the perimeter path and 11m between the goal line which will also form the dead ball area when the pitch is being used for rugby.

The pitch size at White Rock is designed to be 105 metres x 68 metres. The current measurements of the Vetch Field turf are 102.4 metres x 71.3 metres. Overall that will make for a smaller, but longer playing surface at White Rock than at the Vetch Field. To give a comparison, the pitch dimensions at Old Trafford are 106 x 69.5 metres.

White Rock will include a number of innovations including a translucent roof structure to maximise the sun and light penetrating the stadium.

The stadium will of course open at the start of the 2005/2006 season and work is well underway on the development of the White Rock area (see pictures at this link) The stadium was originally scheduled to be completed by January 2005. The stadium itself will contain 20,000 seats, 48 corporate hospitality boxes. Building work on the arena itself should start to become visible at the development in February of this year.

You can keep up to date with all the news on the progress of White Rock Stadium in our section detailing everything you need to know as it happens

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