Queen of the South urged to upgrade grounds
There is a lack of accessible shelter, says fans.
Fans are urging the Queen of the South to improve the matchday experience for wheelchair users at Palmerston.
People have taken to social media complaining about a lack of cover from bad weather.
Chief Executive Dan Armstrong says work is underway to address the issue.
“Great news on that front. We have been working really hard with that, we have been working with our disability officer on this for the last six to nine months.
“We have looked at loads of different external funding, we have looked at different companies who build external shelters to see which can be implemented in Palmerston to be safe and we’re just devising a plan as to where the best place for that is in the ground.
“It is something that has been ongoing as we recognise this is something we’d like to improve.”
Jon Attenborough is partially sighted and recently wrote a book about his experiences visiting all 42 SPFL grounds with his guide dog Sam.
He says accessible cover is very important.
“If you’re a wheelchair user and you’re sitting sort of pitch side where it’s unsheltered, you can’t move about as well as other people can, so you’re stuck in that same area. Your body actually gets colder more quickly when you’re sitting in the one position.”
Attenborough adds that upgrading the current shelter could make a big difference.
“The past couple of years, we’ve actually seen more clubs improve their facilities to try and help encourage especially more disabled supporters to come along to their grounds, and hopefully encourage them even for the first time.
“I think it would definitely encourage more supporters to come along to the game if they knew they were going to be warm and sheltered and be able to enjoy the match.
“Having that sheltered section, it just encourages more people to attend football games where they know they can come along, and they will be able to sit in a dry, spacious area where they can enjoy the game without being in any discomfort.”