Parc y Scarlets

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Parc y Scarlets


location = Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales
capactity = 14,340
opened = Due to open 15 November 2008
closed =
demolished =
owner = Carmarthenshire County Council
operator = Llanelli RFC / Carmarthenshire County Council
surface = Grass
construction_cost = £23mcite news |title=Scarlets stadium work goes online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7334454.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-04-07 |accessdate=2008-05-21 ]
architect = Miller Partnership
former_names =
tenants = Scarlets (Celtic League)
Llanelli RFC
capacity = 14,340

"Parc y Scarlets" (English: Scarlets Park) is a rugby union stadium in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, that is set to open in mid-November 2008 and will be the new home of the Scarlets and Llanelli RFC. The ground will replace Stradey Park, the home of Llanelli's rugby teams for almost 130 years. The stadium complex will include hi-tech facilities for matchday supporters and for non-matchday revenue generation. It will include a training barn and a training pitch with athletics track.cite web |url=http://www.scarlets.co.uk/stadium/ |title=Llanelli Scarlets New Stadium |accessdate=2008-05-21 |date=2008-05-20 |publisher=Llanelli Scarlets ]

The ground is being built by Port Talbot-based Andrew Scott Limited on a site owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, next to a new retail park featuring stores such as Morrisons. The stadium was designed by specialist sports stadia architects, The Miller Partnership, whose designs include Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Structural steelwork for the development will be provided by Rowecord Engineering of Newport.

The stands have a slight curvature to allow for better views. The stadium's main stand, on the south side of the ground, will contain the club's shop and museum, the ticket office, a large sports bar (called "The Delme Thomas"),cite news |title=Scarlets reveal name of new stadium |url=http://www.scarlets.co.uk/features/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=458 |publisher=Llanelli Scarlets |date=2008-05-20 |accessdate=2008-05-21 ] the players' gym and changing rooms on the ground floor, while the upper floors will be provided with eating and drinking areas.

Having previously been known by the provisional title of "Pemberton Stadium", the stadium's official name – "Parc y Scarlets" – was announced on 20 May 2008. The approach to the main stand will be known as the "Ray Gravell Legends Walkway" and will be paved with bricks naming each Llanelli RFC and Scarlets player to have played for Wales. A statue of Ray Gravell will also be erected outside the stadium, [cite news |title=Scarlets unveil new stadium name |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/llanelli_scarlets/7410473.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-05-20 |accessdate=2008-05-21 ] while other Llanelli legends will be honoured in the naming of other of the stadium's facilities. For example, the museum will be known as the "Ken Jones Museum", while the various executive lounges will be named after Carwyn James, Phil Bennett and the Quinnell family.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.scarlets.co.uk/stadium/ Official site]