Work to start on major Ravenhill redevelopment

Work on the major redevelopment of Ravenhill is to start later this month.

On Wednesday, Ulster Rugby chiefs unveiled further details of the work which will increase the capacity of the Belfast ground from 11,400 to 18,000.

New stands at the Memorial and Aquinas ends are to be completed by June 2013 and then the old main stand will be replaced during the 2013-14 season.

Work is to start on 26 November and the whole project is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2014.

Last season's Heineken Cup finalists are getting £14.7m in government grants for the redevelopment work and the increased capacity means Ravenhill will meet the requirements for staging a Pro12 final or Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Ulster said they were hoping to secure a naming partner for their revamped ground.

The new Memorial End stand will have covered seating for 2,400 spectators with terracing for a further 1,350.

It will house a ticket office, shop and bar and catering facilities.

The Aquinas stand, which will become the family area of the ground, is to have 2,100 seats with terracing for an additional 1,300 fans.

It will also become the Ulster squad's new training base with a gym and meeting rooms.

The new main grandstand will have 3,450 seats and the upgraded promenade will be able to accommodate 3,400 fans.