The 748-seater stand, beneath a cantilevered steel roof, has been designed by the Prestwick office of multi-disciplinary engineering firm Clancy Consulting.
Work started on site last April, with Clancy Consulting providing civil and structural engineering services on the development and working alongside Denham Youd Architects and Ashleigh (Scotland).
The project is scheduled for completion this summer, and it’s hoped the new facility – also including purpose-built hospitality facilities and a new operations base for the club – will be ready for use in time for the start of the 2024-25 season.
Mr Smith, who is also managing director of Ashleigh (Scotland), said: “Myself, the club and the fans appreciate and are delighted with the work undertaken by Clancy Consulting on the new North Stand at Somerset Park for Ayr United.
“This enterprising development has been an exemplar in community wealth-building with the deployment of a local and talented supply chain, including Clancy Consulting, some of which never miss a game.”
The proposals for the new stand were unveiled in June 2022 and were given the green light by South Ayrshire Council three months later after no objections were lodged by members of the public.
The scheme includes a “plush new hospitality suite” catering for 198 guests, integrated within the structure.
The football club’s operations centre will occupy purpose-built offices within the new stand, which will feature wheelchair access throughout, electric vehicle infrastructure, and inside matchday space for players’ families.
A new vehicle access point on Somerset Road is being provided as part of the development, plus 27 new standard parking bays, two accessible parking spaces and landscaping works.
It’s the most significant upgrade of Somerset Park since a new wing was added at the east end of the Main Stand on the opposite side of the ground in 1989.
Structural engineer Ross Taylor, who led the project for Clancy Consulting, said: “A range of measures will be implemented to reduce the demand for energy in the proposed development.
Structural engineer Ross Taylor, who led the project for Clancy Consulting, said: “A range of measures will be implemented to reduce the demand for energy in the proposed development.
“These include good levels of natural daylight throughout, the façade and layout of the building being designed to take advantage of solar gains in winter, excellent fabric performance for new thermal elements and openings to reduce heat loss, a high level of air tightness, and use of heat-recovery technology.”
Clancy Consulting was previously involved with the Somerset Hub, outside the ground. This hub houses the club shop, staff offices and a supporters’ bar.
