Exciting times! We now have a new extremely ambitious and passionate owner with a fresh outlook and optimistic aspirations. A new stadium on the horizon and hopefully delivered within five years. A new superb training centre already secured - subject to planning of course.

The practical reality, however, is that we will be on the old Rec next season and still need to address the old issues concerning the East Stand, facilities and meeting the regulated minimum standards.

We await the Charity Commission ruling on the annual plea to lift the Section 26 order on the extension of the East Stand. A revised proposal has been submitted and we naturally hope that sufficient progress has been made to find a solution that will appease all parties. The benefits definitely outweigh the detriments.

Our facilities continue to improve and although far from perfect attempt to provide the best within the restricted confines. We have submitted a five pronged planning application which if successful will add more toilets and refreshment outlets, improve sight lines, increase capacity and disabled provision, provide more covered seating and replace our old scoreboard.

Minimum standards criteria are set by Premier Rugby to ensure public safety and to generally raise all standards to an acceptable level for the good of the game. We naturally strive to meet these benchmarks and exceed them where possible. We tick most boxes but we need to upgrade our lights, cover our stands and continue to source more toilets!

We are in the process of recruiting a new Operations Director and he/she will have the challenging responsibility of dealing with many issues pertaining to the Rec as well as the more exciting developments associated with the new stadium, offices and training centre.

A new era beckons - C'mon you Bath!

Bob Calleja (May 2010)