Argylegames":3k7def40 said:
From the plans, the sizes look similar, except for the area in which Argyle have two ice baths which we didn't provide for the opposition. I'm sure Jon Back said they were bigger than the FA/EFL minimum size.
With regards to the size of the changing rooms (and the standard of the floodlights), the FA/EFL minimum requirements are set quite low to accommodate teams coming in to the Football League, such as Forest Green and Salford City for example where there is still a non-League feel to their grounds.
For a club that aspires to return to the Championship, I would like to think Argyle would aspire to more than just meeting the minimum requirements. Like many others, including Ryan Lowe, I was slightly disappointed and surprised with the size of the new changing rooms and I don’t think there is much scope for expansion in the current location either. I wasn’t expecting Premier League standards and dimensions but I was expecting something slightly more roomy.
Despite the excellent corporate facilities in the re-developed Grandstand, the small changing rooms might be the factor that prevents HP from hosting Premiership Rugby. Ashton Gate might hold more, but they probably wouldn’t fill the stadium if they hosted Exeter Chiefs as I doubt many Bristol, Bath and Gloucester fans would buy tickets.
However, with its closer proximity to Cornwall, I think HP would sell out.