World Snooker Championship organisers are looking into a proposal to build a new 3,000-seat arena to stage the tournament alongside the Crucible.
Jason Ferguson, the chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, is in talks with architect James Burland, who has designed a purpose-built venue with a bridge linking it to the event’s existing and iconic home.
Burland’s idea is for the new development to act as a ‘Crucible 2’, with matches spread across there and the old theatre like Wimbledon’s Centre Court and No1 Court.
Plans are being considered for a new Crucible to built alongside the original venue
The plan comes amid recent criticism from a number of high-profile players about the limited capacity and facilities of the 980-seat Crucible, which has hosted the World Championship since 1977 and has a contract until 2027.
‘This is a concept and an idea to try and grow this event in some way,’ Ferguson told Sportsmail.
‘We have no intention of moving from Sheffield. It is our home. But we know we really need to be looking at around 3,000 seats for the World Championship now.
‘Events like the Masters are growing so much and the danger is that the World Championship starts to look smaller, which it really can’t because it’s the crown jewels of what we do.
‘This is not the only route but it is an initial concept that James has come up with. Can the Crucible be a dual site?’
Burland, along with entrepreneur Peter Bainbridge, first proposed a ‘Billiardrome’ almost 20 years ago when Sheffield was fighting off bids to host snooker’s premier event from rival cities.
It is those plans that have been revived and reworked after Ferguson recently renewed contact with Burland, who he invited as a guest to last weekend’s world final.
A bridge will connect the two buildings, allowing matches to be played at both venues
‘He and I had a discussion a few months ago and we have rekindled the relationship and started discussing what it could look like,’ said Ferguson.
‘He has been up here for a few days and speaking to people, building up a picture of what the perfect outcome looks like. His initial sketch has got some great ideas in it.’
Burland, who designed Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium with a team at Arup, said: ‘When we looked at it years ago, we were thinking it would be the new venue, but this is different now – this is working with the Crucible.
‘The second venue doesn’t have to be a replacement, it can be an adjunct. It makes the whole event easier to run, with more facilities.’
Burland’s proposed site for the building is Sheffield’s old Roxy Disco, which is now the O2 Academy, with a bridge to the Crucible over Arundel Gate.
The main auditorium would be round and divided into three tiers – upper and lower spectator levels, with corporate and media seating in the middle.
Burland’s concept includes a snooker museum at the spiral entrance, a giant screen wrapping round the outside of the building and TV studios on the roof.
The ground floor would be the practice area and could also stage the World Championship qualifiers.
The new Crucible building is planned to hold up to three times as many fans at 3,000
‘I quite like the idea you are scrapping it out to get a position in the colosseum above,’ said Burland. ‘Then the Holy of Holies is to win and go across the bridge to play.’
The 3,000-seat arena could convert to 1,500 seats with folding tables for conferences. The venue could also host music concerts and other sports, such as boxing and table tennis.
During his recent visit to Sheffield, Burland conducted a study of the Crucible atmosphere, speaking to legends including Steve Davis and John Parrott, to feed into his design.
‘These guys have 40 years of experience in the game,’ said Burland. ‘Who am I to say I know what you need because I’m an architect?
‘History is hugely important. You don’t want to lose what the Crucible has got, just make it better.
‘That is why I am looking at it from the point of view of the atmosphere first. I know I have to do my research on atmosphere to get this right.
‘In a pilot study I did, there are three descriptors that come out – drama, history and conviviality. A mixture of these need to be in every part of how this thing works.’
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the world championship earlier in May after defeating Judd Trump
Former World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn also revealed last month that initial talks had been held with Sheffield City Council about building a new Crucible. But Burland is the only architect to have so far come up with a design solution.
‘At this stage, it’s very early discussions but we are coming up with a concept of what would be a huge benefit for the city and a true international destination,’ added Ferguson.
‘There is a huge road to go down with this. That would involve what is possible from a planning perspective, how can it be financed, who are the partners in it.
‘We will have a meeting to try and move the discussion on with Sheffield City Council. They are very open-minded about what could be done.
‘I think a feasibility study will throw up the answers and I think that would be the next phase.
‘We are not panicking about moving. We are fixed for the next five years. But the question is, within that period, can we come up with what the future looks like?’
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