I had my camera at work again on Friday to take some more photos of the team for our website. After work the sun was shining and the clouds were nowhere to be seen, so I took the opportunity to take a wander across to the impressive Reebok stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers FC.The roundabout on the main road outside the stadium now has a huge public art structure at its centre shaped like an enormous trophy. The Spirit of Sport is made up of 700 steel plates engraved with the photos of local sportsmen and women, coaches and volunteers.
Apparently the artwork is updated regularly with new faces added, and it even has its own website, thespiritofsport.org.uk.
Beyond the roundabout lies Bolton Arena, built for the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002, and now home to the best indoor tennis facilities in the area as well as a well-stocked gym (where I've recently re-joined). The Arena is linked via a modern-looking footbridge to the Reebok Stadium itself, just across the road.
The stadium was built in 1997 at a cost of £25m, and financial considerations led to it being named after sponsors Reebok despite much opposition. The club relocated to Horwich from their old ground Burnden Park, another issue which was unpopular at the time. These days though the stadium's name and location are much more accepted by the club's fans, hardly surprising after 14 years!The stadium itself is a striking design of graceful steel curves, topped in the corners by distinctive diamond-shaped floodlight clusters. One of the stands houses the four-star De Vere Hotel, which has rooms available than overlook the pitch.
The challenge for manager Owen Coyle next season will be to develop the team to play in a manner that matches the stylish design of this distinctive modern stadium.
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