Corsham site for Bath Rugby?

5:00pm Sunday 19th October 2008

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THE chief executive of Bath Rugby has confirmed the club has been looking at the possibility of buying a new site in Corsham.

Bob Calleja would not reveal where the land was, but confirmed it was just outside the town.

Beset by a covenant issue which has thwarted long-term extension plans at the Recreation Ground, the club has also been looking at land in Keynsham, near Bristol, but Mr Calleja said the priority now is to make sure they did what they could to stay at the Rec.

The club wants to boost capacity to at least 15,000 at the Rec to meet the requirements of the Guinness Premiership. But negotiations are still ongoing between the Charity Commission which monitors the land and Rec trustees – three local councillors – over the best way forward.

Mr Calleja said: “We are in the process of looking at alternative sites.

“This does include a plot of land near Corsham that may be available, but we are a long, long way off from a decision. We are looking for alternative options too and this also includes a site in Keynsham.

“It is too early to say what is going to happen at the moment, though.”

Corsham Town Council chairman Allan Bosely said he was aware the club had been looking at a site near the town, but believes Keynsham might be the preferred option, as the town has a functioning railway station.

He said: “The town council has not been contacted and I am speculating that Bath might be looking at Ministry of Defence land that is likely to be vacated as a result of the redevelopment of Basil Hill Barracks.

“I gather that 40 per cent of Bath’s season ticket holders are from Wiltshire.

“We would welcome any discussion with Bath Rugby and I know the team have a lot of support in the area, but we have not heard anything but the reports that we have seen in the sports pages of the national press.”

The club is also investigating an interim groundshare with Swindon Town Football Club while it continues discussions over a permanent future, at the Rec or elsewhere.