Just eight weeks after the demolition crews moved in to bring down the old Sturtridge Pavilion, the site has been levelled, concrete crushed, 166 piles driven and foundations laid.
This has all paved the way for the building work itself to commence, and over the next few weeks the steel framework will be put up, along with the concrete base for the Barwell Stand’s seating.
Nevertheless, as delighted as Hewitt is to see the next part of the project commence, he is also extremely pleased that everything is still running on time under the close management of the club’s contractors.
“It’s fantastic, and the best news is that we’re still on schedule," he said. "You don’t know what you’re going to find during a demolition, or when we were digging 166 piles and putting in the foundations. But all has gone smoothly and this week the steelwork has started to be put up at quite a rate.
“All building projects are exciting when they start to come out of the ground. You start to see the shape and size of the building. Then as the building becomes closer to completion you have the nice feeling of seeing the last brick laid and the project be finished.
“Here at Franklin’s Gardens the biggest difference between other commercial building projects that I’ve been involved in is that we’re very much in the public eye. Our supporters are eager to know what’s going on, how we’re building it and whether it’s the same as what’s happened before. We’ve had some very positive comments from supporters.
“Buckinghams have performed brilliantly to date, delivering everything they said they would on time. This has been a tight building programme and a complex project to do in a small amount of time and it looks like we’ll be ready to have seats in place for the Saracens game.
“It’s fantastic for us to complete the bowl here at Franklin’s Gardens. I was responsible for the other stages of our development, and it is excellent to see us finish the stadium.
“The new pitch is starting to look brilliant as well, and with the new stand coming up it’s very exciting and I can’t wait until November!”
Over 50 percent of the Barwell Stand’s seats have been snapped up as Season Tickets already. But there are still plenty still available, and supporters can make their own little bit of history at Franklin’s Gardens by joining the cast of thousands in cheering on the Saints team from this all-new area of the stadium.
Full details of Season Ticket packages, including pricing and booking information, can be downloaded at www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/seasontickets
