Talking to www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com Nottage said: "There are a lot of variables that come into play when looking at a project of the scale of a new grandstand."
The proposal will increase Gloucester's capacity from 13,000 to more than 16,000, and will be the next step of the plan to ensure the Club continues to grow.
"First and foremost I'd like to apologise to all supporters for not providing more information. Hopefully, I'm now able to explain to everyone where we are, the issues we're addressing and what the next few days and weeks have in store."
The development on the grandstand side of the pitch has been one of the Club's main priorities since the opening of the new 3,000 capacity Buildbase Stand last summer, which has proved a big success.
"There are many variables that are playing a role in this project. Some of these we can address and some of them are out of our control," said Nottage, who had just returned from a meeting with the Water authorities on drainage issues.
"We've got a project management team that is working hard to get the stand done. An example of one of these issues is that there is currently a world shortage of steel.
"We've booked our order at a fixed price, and if we don't go ahead this summer and defer the project, the price could rise and could reach £500,000 more this time next year, add to that the potential lost revenue of not having the stand ready for the start of the 05/06 season, and you can see why it's important we put all our efforts into making it happen.
"There are plenty of other agencies and suppliers who also come into the mix, from planners, water authorities and sewerage, and parking and electrics. We're progressing the finance, and it is looking more and more positive each day.
"We have to give ourselves as much time as possible to build a new stand. When there are issues that are unresolved, they start to eat into the time scales, which in turn eat into the new season."
Gloucester has confirmed that if the new development goes ahead in the summer, the new structure will be in place for the start of the new campaign.
"Supporters may find we only have seats in place in the stand in time for the first month of the season, and then we'll work on other aspects of the structure throughout the course of the season.
"At the moment, the programme assumes that the stand is happening, we're not saying no at this stage."
Heineken Cup qualification has been a key part to Gloucester's growth in recent seasons, and Nottage is well aware of how important it is this year.
"Team performance has a part to play, and what happens on the pitch can affect everything, for example qualification for the Heineken Cup. It is one of the drivers to whether we do the stand, but it can't be the final say as Heineken Cup qualification is not going to be decided in the next few days or week, when we need to press the green button to go ahead, or say no."
Gloucester's crowds have increased over the last five-six seasons from 4,800 average attendances and just over 1,800 season tickets, to more than 12,500 average crowds and 7,500 season ticket holders.
"We're running out of capacity and facilities, and supporters don't need me to tell them that. Our facilities at the moment aren't good enough for our fans. You only have to look at what Newcastle had when we went up to Kingston Park at the end of February.
"We have got to do a development here and have to keep pushing on with it. There are some clubs that are building on their capacity and facilities and these teams will edge ahead if we don't step forward and make it happen here at Kingsholm.
"We've got more meetings, and we've got more decisions to make next week, before we make the final decision, which we're looking at in terms of days rather than weeks.
"At the moment, everyone is working towards having a new stand development for the start of the 2005/06 season."
![]() |
![]() |



