By Nathan Jackson
October 17 2004

A new project to redevelope the whole of the Sincil Bank area could ultimately involve the rebuilding of the Echo stand. The project will start after a study. Included in the project are plans for a hotel, easier road access and a massive redevelopement of the Sincil Bank area.

The Sincil Bank area isn't exactly the nicest in the City but a scheme has been revealed that will improve the area around Sincil Bank including a hotel complex and a possible ground extension, most likely being the Lincolnshire Echo Stand.

The scheme starts with an 18 month feasibility study to asses what is needed around the area such as children's play areas and easier access by roads to the Stadium. A large un-used field behind the Mundy/Imps stand has already been dug up and work has began building something that has left fans guessing as to what it could be as there is no offical announcement from the club about the area.

The scheme, is being forwarded by grants and exterior funding and is set to bring the football stadium a lot more community friendly, especially to children. There is only one playground for children to play in and it only contains a climbing frame and a handful of swings.

According to an insider, the plans include other features such as, a new road from the fire station side, a hotel complex and housing.

One immediate benefit if the study is successful is the conversion of executive boxes into little offices for business. Rick Keracher, a member of the Supporters Trust has said about the idea of converting them into offices.

"The boxes are only used once or twice a week at most at the moment, and the rest of the time just stand empty."

"Obviously these are all just ideas, and we have no funding yet, but we want to present them to the community and see what they think, and then we can start looking for funding."

As for the ground, if the study deems it nessacery, some stands at the ground will be improved with the main focus point being the Lincolnshire Echo stand. This stand only runs 1/3 of the pitch length and an expansion could lead to bigger attendances for the club, let alone more space to put rooms to do things such as children's activites. The stand would more than likely be converted to look more like the CO-OP stand. However, an idea like this will definatly be a long term plan, maybe not taking place for another 5-10 years, if they ever happen.

All these plans of course, are only an idea at the minute but at a local meeting of local residents and club officials, most people were said to be impressed with the ideas. This is a very exciting time to be an Imps fan, both on and off the pitch.