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Glasgow The Warriors are hoping to secure their future at Scotstoun until at least 2032 and talks are ongoing to extend their current lease.
As things stand, the Warriors’ lease runs until 2028, but in an interview with Scotland Rugby News, Warriors managing director Kenny Brown has confirmed that a new four-year deal is close to being finalized with Glasgow Life – the leisure arm of Glasgow City Council.
Glasgow has called Scotstoun home since 2012 and there was a recent sense that the 2016 Pro12 champions and 2024 URC winners had outgrown the venue, which only has a capacity of 7,261, although that number increased to 11,000 when it hosted the reduced Games Commonweal this summer.
While Brown declined to go into specifics, there is a possibility that the running track surrounding the playing surface could be relocated in a phased development plan, potentially allowing the stadium to accommodate more spectators on an ongoing basis.
“There are various improvements we’re making around the site,” the Warriors managing director told Scotland Rugby News.
“There is a work project on the track and the relocation of the running track. If there is an opportunity to move the track, which we are working on in cooperation with the local government, it opens up a significant opportunity for us to improve the match day experience here.
“It’s a big ambition for us, to work on a project that will allow us to relocate the track and restore a large part of the site.”
A Glasgow Life spokesman confirmed: “As part of the ongoing relationship between Glasgow Warriors and Glasgow Life, who will play the Warriors’ home games at Scotstoun this season, we are working with the club to renew their lease.”
One change that has already taken place is the laying of a new pitch, with Brown confirming that the £350,000 outlay has been split between the relevant parties.
“We have come to a funding agreement between us, Glasgow Life and the Commonwealth Games to replace the pitch,” he added.
“I think the pitch was nearing the end of its life anyway. The best course of action for everyone was to make the decision to replace the pitch.
“We’ve got to the point where we’ve agreed various things with the games and with the council around our relocation and our return. As I said, the pitch was completed last week and the feedback has been great.
“It’s a big improvement from where we were.”
