Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) has unveiled its plans for a new aquatics centre and its masterplan for the Portman Road area.

The scheme, which was initially announced in July 2022 and has been drawn up in collaboration with Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town, would see a new aquatics centre - featuring pools, water flumes, a gym and fitness studios, as well as a soft play area and cafe - a hotel and park areas built on the car park behind the Cobbold Stand.

In addition, a multi-storey car park would also be constructed in order to replace the spaces lost due to the new development.

It’s also proposed that Portman Road is rerouted into a curve to facilitate the club’s redevelopment of the Cobbold Stand, which is currently being worked on but is a longer-term rather than immediate priority.

IBC’s Executive will consider the masterplan next week, while the proposals will soon be submitted for planning approval.

“This project is set to become a community jewel, a beacon of how sports, leisure, and communal well-being are valued in Ipswich,” Councillor Neil MacDonald, leader of IBC, said.

“Together, we are not just building facilities; we are building hope, opportunity, and a legacy of communal well-being. As we move forward, the focus shifts to attracting forward-thinking investors who share our vision for a healthier, more vibrant Ipswich.

“This is a journey towards not only revitalising our town but also championing the spirit of our community.

“The council is dedicated to making this vision a reality, ensuring that the benefits of this ambitious project will be enjoyed by both current and future generations of Ipswich residents.”

Town CEO Mark Ashton added: “A significant amount of work has been undertaken at the Portman Road grounds over the last three years, with visible improvements to our home during that time, and we are proud to have an average attendance of nearly 29,000 this season.

“The redevelopment of the Cobbold Stand and an increase in capacity has been part of our long-term masterplan for the stadium and, while it must be stressed no work is imminent, we are pleased to have been able to work with Ipswich Borough Council to identify the required land to make this possible.”

Planning consultants Ingleton Wood give an overview of the project and an interactive public consultation platform on their website.

Photo: DB3 Group

IpswichT62OldBoy added 14:24 - Mar 12 Yes, more good stuff.
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bugblatter added 14:47 - Mar 12 Will it be an full-sized (Olympic regs) pool? Calling it an Aquatic Centre, you’d like to hope it would be.
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Marcus added 14:49 - Mar 12 I notice a mock up of a potential replacement for the Cobbold Stand
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MickMillsTash added 14:52 - Mar 12 Ok its all pretend but That's a big new Cobbold Stand - roof higher than the current north Stand. Really hope that any new stand has some real architectural wow rather than the bland breeze block crud that has been thrown up at Southampton, Leicester, Doncaster, Middlesboro etc Put a Suffolk Punch Horse on top of the new stand like the Cockerel at Spurs Couldn't see the Sir Bobby Statue in the film

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MyBlueHeaven added 14:52 - Mar 12 @bugblatter - 25m pool. Follow links for plans, more info etc. Seems to be a significant upgrade on Crown Pools but essentially same facilities.
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Brazils_Hair added 14:53 - Mar 12 I hope that I see this all completed in my lifetime. I'm 54 and in average health, so fingers crossed.
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Bazza8564 added 15:06 - Mar 12 I think the piece thats missing from this, given 3-4 years minimum timeline, is the possibility of an interim improvement and an increase in the capacity in the West Stand. Plenty of room that side to make that top tier bigger and the addition of a flatter, translucent roof to help the health of the new pitch would make sense. The fact that it never been mentioned feels like transfer window, they will suddenly announce something! Just can't see us waiting 4-5 years to increase capacity at a time we are already full every week and will lose 1000 tickets per game if we go up and have to give th eOppo 3000

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tractorboybig added 15:17 - Mar 12 the problem is that the council do not have the money for the aquatic centre, its a pipe dream, so nothing else will follow.
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trncbluearmy added 15:32 - Mar 12 IBC will not be paying for all this will be funded by private investment, grants, gamechanger and IBC The land owned by IBC/ITFC already and the new stand looks great albeit some time down away but seems to slowly moving up the list of priorities eveytime we get a sell out!
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TractorBlue00 added 15:36 - Mar 12 Cant help but get a little bit emotional watching this. After all the years of neglect that this clubs had, seeing this new facility behind that massive new stand is just brilliant and wouldn't have happend without these amazing new owners we have. Its so good to feel this much pride for our club again.
19

RegencyBlue added 15:43 - Mar 12 If IBC are involved I wouldn’t be holding my breath as to whether this actually happens, never mind when!
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BotesdaleBlue added 16:09 - Mar 12 I wonder just when the "finalised" architect's design for the new Cobbold will be shared with supporters, given that Ashton has recently stated publically that design work is well down the line on this. If construction is not scheduled to start for say 3/4 years (purely a speculative timeframe), is there any beneifit in sharing the proposed design this far ahead of build, or will it be held in abeyance for a few years, whilst we supporters speculate and ruminate thoughts umongst ourselves. I suppose our league status in the next year or two will have much to do with the timings. Such interesting and exciting times. If anyone can make our dreams happen (on and off the pitch) it is the current ownership group, and Management team. We couldn't ask for any better in my opinion. What a time to be a Town fan!!

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Help added 16:11 - Mar 12 Lets hope there is more information on the access and egress from the new multi storey car park as the proposal could mean the vehicles can go down port(l)and road, behind the north and up to Handford Road. Or just up to Handford Road as both behind the North and Portman will be full of pedestrians on match days and everyone getting out of the multistorey will be a disaster after a match.

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Brazils_Hair added 16:27 - Mar 12 Mick Mills Tash - 'Put a Suffolk Punch Horse on top of the new stand like the Cockerel at Spurs' - That is exactly what I am thinking!! It would be magnificent.
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Help added 16:41 - Mar 12 22 seconds into the video I am somewhat concerned with the proposal to remove the upper tier from the West stand, wont that lower capacity? So when the new cobbold is built, the SAR to become the away fans stand separate from the other 3 stands, with the parking already there for away coaches and easy access to the train station.
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slade1 added 16:45 - Mar 12 The players only have ro pop over the road to the aquatics centre to perfect their diving
4

Gforce added 17:02 - Mar 12 Hope it comes to fruition, looks fantastic.
3

Bert added 17:12 - Mar 12 There's a lot to take in and consider. Excellent that the club, IBC and SCC are all involved in the masterplan which can only be good for Ipswich. In my opinion, having a stadium adjacent and almost in the town centre is far better than the ubiquitous out of town stadium bowls that stifle any atmosphere. The match day experience is all the better for the hustle and bustle and rail and bus connections. This presents safety challenges but the masterplan with the stadium centre stage could give Ipswich the shot in the arm it needs. Can't see improved coach parking facilities (it's chaotic now) but that is what the consultation at the pre planning stage is for.

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BlueBlood90 added 17:19 - Mar 12 An Olympic sized swimming pool next door will be handy for when Patrick Bamford and Dewsbury-Hall come to play.
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Nomore4 added 17:36 - Mar 12 I assume IBC are pumping all available funds into hotel accommodation. As are all councils.
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NorthLondonBlue2 added 18:08 - Mar 12 This is exciting news and I really hope it’s something I get to see in my lifetime
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BrockleyBlue78 added 19:17 - Mar 12 Superb, except it really should be an Olympic sized pool
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Runner added 19:22 - Mar 12 The new Cobbold Stand seems very high, taller than the North Stand, must be capacity of something like 20k. I was thinking ITFC would want a hotel within that stand too.
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pennblue added 19:23 - Mar 12 Ipswich could have a very exciting future and i feel if we can get the experience right we could compete with teams like west ham and chelsea moving forward
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MVBlue added 20:47 - Mar 12 Watched the video and spent the whole time looking at the Cobbold design. Decent. Imagine an extra 3000 seats? Pride of Anglia. Wonder if the design is a given and a known given its display in the video?
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