Stadium Expansion

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 20:33

Four STAR board members were invited to the MadStad this evening to view the expansion plans, talk to the architects and so on, so we now have a better idea of what this is all about. We were there for 2 hours and talking about the plans for most of that time, so we're happy to answer as many questions as we can.

Overall, it looks superb, and while these are still preliminary plans at this stage they look very well thought, whilst the architects were open to suggestions we had.

I'd definitely recommend that everyone who wants to see these expansion plans happen - and they have to to allow us to compete fully un the Prem - goes to the RFc website and fills out one of the feedback forms. The more positive support there is the more likely these will be accepted.

A few quickies :
- the corners will be filled in, as now.
- There will be a single tier, with 3 or 4 concourse levels behind it.
- There will be masses of "accomodation space" under the stands to be used for all sorts
- Concourses will be bigger, although the existing ground level ones may not increase in size immeditaely so as to speed construction
- The roof will slope downwards, so as to keep the noise in
- From what I counted, there will be 65 rows of seats at the highest point.

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 16 Oct 2006 20:40

Is there any indication of how well the nesw roof will protect the front of the stands from rain?

The first 10 or so rows at the moment often get wet if it rains. Will this get better, worse or stay about the same?

Thanks for the feedback STAR.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 20:43

Ian Royal wrote:Is there any indication of how well the nesw roof will protect the front of the stands from rain?

The first 10 or so rows at the moment often get wet if it rains. Will this get better, worse or stay about the same?

Thanks for the feedback STAR.

We were told that there will be better rain protection for the front rows - although the roof will be higher at the back, as it slopes down the front of it will not be vastly higher than the existing front, and something about the shape will provide better cover.

Apologies I didn't get all the techie details on this, but I was definitely told the rain protection would be better for the front rows.

Ian Royal · by **Ian Royal** » 16 Oct 2006 20:46

Thanks very much, though I'd say with a slopping roof the front row could get very wet unless there's some sort of gutter.

Platypuss · by **Platypuss** » 16 Oct 2006 20:48

How will pedestrians be affected?

Will there be a commensurate reduction in the width of footways?

What will happen with the Jazz Cafe?

Legend · by **Legend** » 16 Oct 2006 20:57

Supposing we get relegated this season or next and flounder in the Championship for a few years, what impact will this have on the plans and financially should they proceed ?

I am glad the corners will be filled in and concourses improved, sounds promising.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 21:02

Ian Royal wrote:Thanks very much, though I'd say with a slopping roof the front row could get very wet unless there's some sort of gutter.

Indeed - but the roof was described as being "like the rim of a stetson", and so the lowest part is behind the rim - if that makes sense.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 21:05

Platypuss wrote:How will pedestrians be affected?

Will there be a commensurate reduction in the width of footways?

What will happen with the Jazz Cafe?

1. Under review but serious discussions being held - there'll be the same space behind the stands, but it may mean the bank being built up a bit further back. These plans are too early for real detail like that, but I did suggest the (safe!) reinstatement of a walkway down the slope.

2. Don't think so.

3. Plans show an extension to the Jazz Cafe.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 21:06

Legend wrote:Supposing we get relegated this season or next and flounder in the Championship for a few years, what impact will this have on the plans and financially should they proceed ?

I am glad the corners will be filled in and concourses improved, sounds promising.

We didn't discuss finances but it was pretty clear that this isn't a done deal and does depend on successon the pitch.

Legend · by **Legend** » 16 Oct 2006 21:07

STAR Campaigns wrote:
Platypuss wrote:How will pedestrians be affected?

Will there be a commensurate reduction in the width of footways?

What will happen with the Jazz Cafe?
1. Under review but serious discussions being held - there'll be the same space behind the stands, but it may mean the bank being built up a bit further back. These plans are too early for real detail like that, but I did suggest the (safe!) reinstatement of a walkway down the slope.

2. Don't think so.

3. Plans show an extension to the Jazz Cafe.

Excellent, the walkway is a good idea........ they have said in the past they won't spend money on it as there is no pay back unless someone wants to sponsor it.

I say build it with a decent design, then look for sponsors to advertise on it, it WILL attract sponsors and in the long term pay for itself...... eventually. Oh, and ease congestion.

Legend · by **Legend** » 16 Oct 2006 21:08

STAR Campaigns wrote:
Legend wrote:Supposing we get relegated this season or next and flounder in the Championship for a few years, what impact will this have on the plans and financially should they proceed ?

I am glad the corners will be filled in and concourses improved, sounds promising.
We didn't discuss finances but it was pretty clear that this isn't a done deal and does depend on successon the pitch.

My concern is if we stay up this season and building starts next summer, we last one more season in the Prem and then struggle to get back up like so many teams have done.

Forbury Lion · by **Forbury Lion** » 16 Oct 2006 21:15

STAR Campaigns wrote:- There will be masses of "accomodation space" under the stands to be used for all sorts

STAR HQ? Supporters Bar?

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 21:16

The work is scheduled to be done in two stages - probably ends first then the East Stand (although I gather this order isn't 100% certain), so there is an option to pause longer if we struggle after the first stage. (Not sure what it'd look like, though!

But personally I think that after a season or two in the Prem then the overall demand would have increased enough to fill a significant portion of this extension. And it also give the club scope to do pricing promotions in order to fill seats and build up support amongst kids, etc.

Maybe I'm wrong on that, but if we wait until we are sure we are established as a Premier League club will will *never* expand - but until we expand we will never be able to compete financailly with most other Premier League clubs. Chicken and egg!

Royalshow · by **Royalshow** » 16 Oct 2006 21:29

What about a proper walkway thats wider then a pavement from the stadium to the new train station at green park.A safer easier way to get to the buses after the game and seperate pedestian exist so cars can leave at the same time.Any problems we have now are going to be much much worse with an extra 14,000,who are most likly to come by car.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 21:31

Royalshow wrote:What about a proper walkway thats wider then a pavement from the stadium to the new train station at green park.A safer easier way to get to the buses after the game and seperate pedestian exist so cars can leave at the same time.Any problems we have now are going to be much much worse with an extra 14,000,who are most likly to come by car.

The issue of keeping pedestrians separate from traffic was raised with teh architects and we gave them some thoughts which will hopefully be incorporated into the final plans.

Thjsi will also be discuused at our meeting with the club on Wednesday for shorter-term solutions to resolve the currrent situation.

Scrappy · by **Scrappy** » 16 Oct 2006 22:41

If they could make the train station include a bus section which is away from the ground, the situation would be made far easier surely?

Ooo Trevor Morley · by **Ooo Trevor Morley** » 16 Oct 2006 22:47

I like it, i like it a lot!

However, Star Campaigns, i believe your hat analogy could do with some work. aStetson's rim only curls up (so that the edge is higher than the middle) at the sides, whereas the peak at the front and back are more or less flat. A hat which does describe perfectly what you are trying to explain is the Homburg Hat.

STAR Voice · by **STAR Voice** » 16 Oct 2006 22:49

I'm no hat expert - I merely use the analogy the architect told me!

Ooo Trevor Morley · by **Ooo Trevor Morley** » 16 Oct 2006 23:00

I was just being silly, do excuse me. Though I must say, tell this architect chappie to study his bloody hats; how's he going to build a stadium if he doesn't know his ushanka from his fedora.

Woodcote Royal · by **Woodcote Royal** » 16 Oct 2006 23:24

STAR Campaigns wrote: Maybe I'm wrong on that, but if we wait until we are sure we are established as a Premier League club will will *never* expand - but until we expand we will never be able to compete financailly with most other Premier League clubs. Chicken and egg!

Spot on.

This is where we are and my hunch is that we have to go for it now or, spend years regretting that we didn't have the guts when it mattered most.