Rec development a 'big step' in Bath's history

Bath have been given the green light to expand and redevelop their Recreation Ground Stadium

The redevelopment of the Recreation Ground will be another "big step" in the history of Bath, said head of rugby Johann van Graan.

Plans to expand the ground to an 18,000-capacity stadium were given the go-ahead last week following confirmation that the project would not be challenged by the secretary of state.

Bath and North East Somerset Council had already granted planning permission for the expansion on 17 September.

"Life is about change and adapting to it and whenever the time comes that we play our first game there somewhere in the future I think it will be another big step in the history of Bath Rugby, a club founded in 1865," Van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset.

"I remember when I was a young boy, a floodlight was changed at Loftus [Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria] and what a big moment that was. To play in a new stadium will be amazing and hopefully we can get that done as soon as possible."

Reigning Prem champions Bath have played at the Rec, which sits in the heart of the city centre next to the banks of the River Avon, for more than 130 years.

The current capacity is 14,500 however temporary stands are used in much of the ground which are dismantled during the off-season.

Van Graan took over in July 2022 and led the team to their first league title in 29 years in June. They only lost at home once last season in the Prem.

"The Rec's a special place. The last two years specifically it's been amazing in terms of the noise we've gotten and how the noise has grown. We as a group have created some pretty amazing moments in time there," Van Graan said.

"There's other people looking after the stadium - we've got to make sure we look after the rugby. When that day comes [in the new stadium] it will be amazing."