MjM wrote:
Headingley is grade A (it ****es all over the criteria - in fact it's probably the only traditional RL ground fully compliant with Framing the Future). I had a chat with the S Stand architect last year - after that project is done, they're waiting on YCCC to find their cash to do the N Stand. After that, the W Terrace may need replacing, but it will always be an open terrace, possibly with facilities underneath. That is years and years (possibly decades and decades) away though.
Although a roof is feasible it is not considered desirable - not only due to planning considerations but also because the club knows an open end is popular when it's sunny. We get more sun in Leeds than Barcelona y'know.
Yes, watching RL on open terracing when the sun is shining is a joy, but conversely, as someone who frequents Belle Vue quite often, it is terrible when it’s raining.
I know a common reason as to why the end terrace at Headingley cannot be covered is due to the houses behind it, however if you look at the latest image of the new roof over the Northern Terrace at Belle Vue, the supports at the back of the terrace hardly rise significantly above the existing elevation, so that shouldn’t be an issue with this cheap solution.
Still if a Grade A stadium still leaves some supporters vulnerable to the elements, then I’ll have to amend what I thought a Grade A stadium constituted.
They sold assets to generate some cash and used innovative agreements with existing sponsors to top that up a little.
