Inside futuristic Crucible ‘Billiardrome’ as plans reveal Wimbledon-style extension to save World Snooker Championship
PLANS for a futuristic Crucible “Billiardrome” have been revealed for the World Snooker Championship.
The Wimbledon-style extension would allow the event to remain at the Sheffield venue.
This year’s tournament, which concludes on Monday, has been dominated by talk of a potential move away from the Crucible.
Ahead of the venue’s deal expiring in 2027, China and the Middle East have been tipped as potential options by Barry Hearn.
Hearn has also claimed the tournament could be moved if a new 3,000-seater venue is not built in Sheffield.
The Telegraph now report that plans have been drawn up by British architect James Burland, who designed Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
Burland has drawn up designs for an expansion of the 980-capacity Crucible and added to a “Billiardrome” design from 20 years ago.
His plans include a 3,000-seater arena across the road from the current site.
The two buildings would then be connected by a bridge, allowing for the event to be staged across both facilities.
A similar approach is already employed at Wimbledon across Centre Court and No.1 Court.
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The plans come with an estimated cost of £50million but they could rise if additional features such as a hotel are incorporated.
According to Hearn, Saudi Arabia could help bankroll a potential expansion or new venue instead of poaching the World Snooker Championship.
Entertainment minister Turki Alalshikh has a greater involvement in the sport after Riyadh Season became a partner of the tournament last month.
Hearn told the Telegraph: “I won’t say more than that because I don’t want to pre-empt anything His Excellency may come up with.
“This man has an enormous passion for sport and he is so enthusiastic for putting the Saudi message across.
“It doesn’t necessarily follow that the event has to be in Saudi.”
He had previously told Sky Sports News: “It would be a pleasure to have everything in our country and we support what happens in other countries, also.
“That means, maybe one day, we’ll do something huge here in England.”
Several players have spoken out about the facilities at the Crucible this year, including seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The Rocket has even called for an interior designer to be hired as part of his demands to save the “outdated” venue.