Spitfires vs. Bears: Capacity Update
With tickets for Kent Spitfires’ Vitality Blast Quarter Final now on sale for Members and Six Pack Holders, the Club can confirm that the capacity of The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence will increase to 4,000 for this fixture.
Members & Six Pack Holders can purchase tickets (log into your account to access) here >>>
The return of crowds to Elite Sport Grounds is governed by a specific set of recommendations. Throughout the season, the Club has been working closely with ECB, Canterbury City Council’s Safety Advisory Group and public health authorities to progressively increase the capacity at Canterbury.
With UK Government’s Test and Trace restrictions ending on 16 August, the Club has been working on plans to increase capacity for the Quarter Final.
This increase has been made possible by removing the ‘seat kills’ that leave spaces in-between spectators, the introduction of standing only areas, the reopening of the Underwood and Knott Upper Stand and the addition of a 500-seat temporary stand, the WW Martin Stand, located between the big screen and sight screen at the Nackington Road end of the ground.
Whilst the increased capacity is 2,500 higher than the 1,500 capacity in the group stages, the Club is still working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the safe return of crowds. Restrictions will remain in a number of key areas of the ground:
- To protect the safety of the players, staff and match officials, the Les Ames and Chiesman Pavilion will remain dedicated as a Players and Match Officials Areas (PMOA).
- The two zones – Zone A or the Northern Bank with access from Old Dover Road – and Zone B or the Southern Bank with access from Nackington Road will also be retained.
- The Frank Woolley Stand will be closed for the remainder of season 2021, with plans underway for the stand to undergo a full refurbishment in 2022.
Commenting on the plans, Kent’s CEO Simon Storey said: “Safety has always been our number one priority and, with the continued uncertainty around Test and Trace and high transmission levels, we have built our plans to ensure the safety of Members, supporters, players, staff and match officials.
“The additional seating in the WW Martin Stand for the Quarter Final will provide a great view for spectators and has allowed us to provide additional capacity.
“We also have secured additional capacity by creating standing zones on the Southern Bank. This careful planning is in-part making-up for the adjustments required by the Elite Sport Stage 5 guidelines and also the challenges presented by the continued closure of the Frank Woolley Stand.
“As a covered stand of permanent seating, ‘the Woolley’ is treated like a football stand and requires a Safety certificate, regular testing and an annual programme of maintenance. When we were planning our 2021 season, it was evident that this work would run into tens of thousands of pounds and, with COVID-protocols in place limiting capacity to 1,500, the decision was taken to postpone maintenance work.
“We therefore have been only able to provide limited accessible seating in the lower area of the stand.
Members & Six Pack Holders can purchase tickets (log into your account to access) here >>>
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