Kilmarnock have confirmed plans to install safe standing sections within Rugby Park for under 16s, becoming the first provincial club in Scotland to do so.
The club have made clear their intentions to improve the matchday atmosphere at the stadium, and in a step towards doing so, have identified areas within the East Stand and the Moffat Stand to introduce rail seats, which can be flipped up or locked in place to create a standing area.
Celtic installed a similar section in 2016, but Killie have confirmed the project will be funded entirely by supporters, with Trust in Killie providing the finances.
Speaking about the project, director Cathy Jamieson told kilmarnockfc.co.uk : “We have been looking at the option to install safe standing areas for the past few months and after much research, we are delighted to announce that we have agreed on an installation schedule and will be able to offer this very soon.
“Our supporters have been paramount to the process and as the first provincial Club in Scotland that will be able to offer this to fans, we really look forward to seeing the project to completion.
“Funded by Trust in Killie, a supporter lead organisation, we expect demand for this new area in the East Stand to be high and look forward to improving the matchday experience for our fans in the grounds where comradery will further enhance the matchday atmosphere.
“I would like to thank existing season ticket holders in this area, some of which have held their seats for a number of years, as they have very kindly agreed to move from the areas affected.
“We have been working hard to ensure they are satisfied with the service they received from our team to make sure they got the best alternative arrangements. Supporters in this area and Trust in Killie members will get first refusal in the new safe standing areas, but we are sure that there will be enough to appeal supporter demands.”
Reports from the BBC suggest the project will cost around £40,000 to complete, with 158 seats available to adults in the East Stand and 166 for fans under the age of 16 in the Family Stand.
Record Sport previously reported that owner Billy Bowie intended to create a family zone behind the Moffat stand, after cutting away allocations to both sides of the Old Firm in an effort to improve the atmosphere at the stadium.
“We are creating a fan zone behind the Moffat Stand with a nine aside football pitch and we want Kilmarnock supporters and their families to come along and enjoy the whole matchday experience," he said last month.
“We won’t be able to do that If we are giving that stand away to visiting supporters. So this is the decision we have made. We want to celebrate what our own club has achieved on the last day of the season but this is the model we plan to use going forward.”
