Luton Town may have one of the most iconic football stadiums in English football, but the latest update from their new stadium project indicates that the famous old stadium may not be the Hatters' home for much longer.
The decision to leave Kenilworth Road for a new build at Power Court was not one taken lightly by the Luton board, and it's also one that hasn't been without its issues.
However, with red tape and significant hurdles now navigated, construction work has officially begun on their new home, which will have a capacity of 25,000.
Construction company confirms key work is underway
Earlier in the week, Limak International, a construction company working on the project alongside Capital Sky, confirmed that piling work is now underway at Power Court. This is typically one of the first signs that ‘spades are in the ground' at the start of any construction project.
This is where deep foundations in the ground are developed to support large structures. Once this work has been completed, things will go ‘vertical'.
Luton Town’s new stadium “Power Court” will hold 25,000 people and it’s hoped it’ll be finished by 2027
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) September 25, 2024
What an upgrade this is for Luton #LTFC pic.twitter.com/AnIxVjM5JZ
While construction is only just beginning, work on the stadium at Power Court has been ongoing for more than a year now. The most significant hurdle to overcome was the rerouting of the River Lea, which will now wrap around the outskirts of the stadium.
Throughout, the club have been keen to ensure the project has provided locals with job opportunities, something that Martin Maloney, a director at Capital Sky, has recently confirmed. He said:
“We’re not bringing in people from all around the UK and beyond. We’re employing people from the Luton area, and it’s not just for the short-term. We’ve taken on seven apprentices and trainees this year, and we’ll be taking on more.”
FGG says: The sad farewell edges closer
It's never easy for fans to say goodbye to their old stadiums. After all, for all Luton fans in existence, Kenilworth is all they have ever known. However, the move to a brand-new stadium with a much bigger capacity has the potential to galvanise the club as they look to work their way back up the English football pyramid to the Premier League.