Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:28 am  

Red Preacher wrote:

As I didn't attend the event on the 27th it's perhaps wise not to comment. However, may I ask those that did attend whether they believe the new stadium to be, as the club describes on a regular basis, "iconic" or "world class?"

Secondly, interlinking with your opinions of the new stadium, what do you believe it takes to be an iconic or world class stadium?

I think the use of the word iconic in relation to this quietly got dropped some time ago, BUT it depends what you mean by iconic - something doesn't have to be architecturally spectacular (or even impressive) to become so synonymous with a location as to be termed iconic. Take the RAC control centre as an icon of the M6, Castle Hill flats in Sheffied, This n That curry cafe as an icon of the Northern Quarter. Being a prominent structure in a visible location means that the sight of it will become inextricably linked with that area - this doesn't mean it's good architecture.

As for world class; the facilities inside the west stand are up there with what I've seen in very high profile stadiums, so arguably we will offer world class corporate facilities. The other three stands are sub Leigh Sporting Village class (unless pitch level views float your boat).

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:40 am  

mitie mouse wrote:

Pray what fantastic club do you support? Please tell us all where we are going wrong

Paid up seasoncard holder at Salford City Reds. My main concern is that if a similar number of folk turn up at the new stadium for the opening game on 4th February as turned up against Catalans at The Willows last September, there'll be complete gridlock. And folk may not then come back again in a hurry.

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:52 am  

Starbug wrote:

The 10 grand will include food and possibly a higher match cost than just a ticket , so youd have to adjust your maths a bit , more likely 50% of the total to the club

no food in boxes as each seats 10, so food and bar are extra, I did ask

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:52 am  

Starbug wrote:

The 10 grand will include food and possibly a higher match cost than just a ticket , so youd have to adjust your maths a bit , more likely 50% of the total to the club

no food in boxes as each seats 10, so food and bar are extra, I did ask

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:59 am  

Iain wrote:

I think the use of the word iconic in relation to this quietly got dropped some time ago, BUT it depends what you mean by iconic - something doesn't have to be architecturally spectacular (or even impressive) to become so synonymous with a location as to be termed iconic. Take the RAC control centre as an icon of the M6, Castle Hill flats in Sheffied, This n That curry cafe as an icon of the Northern Quarter. Being a prominent structure in a visible location means that the sight of it will become inextricably linked with that area - this doesn't mean it's good architecture.

As for world class; the facilities inside the west stand are up there with what I've seen in very high profile stadiums, so arguably we will offer world class corporate facilities. The other three stands are sub Leigh Sporting Village class (unless pitch level views float your boat).

I see your points re what is meant by the term 'iconic.' However, in the examples provided, how did they all come to be considered as iconic? That is, did the RAC and Sheffield council simply decide that their buildings are iconic or was this something constructed over time by a broader group of people? My point being, can the club just represent the new facility as iconic and thus, it is iconic? Or, does iconic status come over time and is it constructed by people?
(Overlooking This n That curry cafe for obvious genre diference).

Hmm. So, as equally arguable is the notion that the term 'world-class' is merely playing with semantics? Personally, the 'world-class' term has really riled me as it borders on the ridicuolous. That said, I've been to some of the world's best stadia and have often been accused of having extraordinary high standards so perhaps the meaning I place on what 'world-class' is, is different from the norm and should perhaps be overlooked. Meh...

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:03 am  

Bigpev wrote:

no food in boxes as each seats 10, so food and bar are extra, I did ask

Yes it was pointed out earlier, bloody expensive then, youve done well to sell them, with food and drinks yuoll be looking at 170/180 per head per match

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:13 am  

Is the stadium ' Iconic ' ? , yes, due to its design of one large stand with three much smaller ones it will be easily recognisable, it is that which will make it Iconic

Not the original ' Armadillo ' but still an interesting design, funnily enough if you ever build the 2 nd phase it will become less iconic

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:57 am  

Starbug wrote:

Is the stadium ' Iconic ' ? , yes, due to its design of one large stand with three much smaller ones it will be easily recognisable, it is that which will make it Iconic

Not the original ' Armadillo ' but still an interesting design, funnily enough if you ever build the 2 nd phase it will become less iconic

Perhaps the recognisability of the stadium does give it status but, I'd argue that it gives it 'distinction' rather than an iconic status for the reasons listed earlier.

Applied to your second comment, the 2nd phase would make the stadium less distinctive rather than less iconic.

Meh, semantics and discourse giving rise to civilised conflict.

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:12 pm  

Red Preacher wrote:

Perhaps the recognisability of the stadium does give it status but, I'd argue that it gives it 'distinction' rather than an iconic status for the reasons listed earlier.

Applied to your second comment, the 2nd phase would make the stadium less distinctive rather than less iconic.

Meh, semantics and discourse giving rise to civilised conflict.

Yes ' Distintive ' rather than ' Iconic ' , much better

Re: First impressions of watching a game @ Barton........any : Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:54 am  

The scoreboard's shocking, surely a better one could have been put in? Agree with the comments re. the other three stands as well - although I guess the argument would be that if the other two building phases ever happen they'll be improved, even if it's only slightly.

Catering left a lot to be desired, as much as it's what you'd expect these days that doesn't mean it's good. Can't see myself using it that often to be honest.

The corporate facilities are spot on. I just hope we do see the majority of cash from them, rather than the stadium company. But seeing as we don't have any control over the standard catering, ticketing and the turnstiles I'd be a little sceptical about that.

G4S don't have the best reputation and it showed in some occasions yesterday. Walking up to the ground The Optimist said "alright mate" to one of them who just glared at him and muttered "alright" sharply back. Cheer up, for pity's sake.

The other one was by the 'dug outs'. Crossing the stand just into the second half I got right up to them on one side to be told I couldn't walk in front of them and would have to cross in the seats. Fair enough, not a problem, so I crossed the seats and came down directly opposite where I'd started to turn right away from the dugouts. Only for some bulldog to screech at me that I couldn't come down there and would have to go further across in the stand. Not exactly consistent with the policy on the other side. I'd assume there'll be some sort of barriers once the season starts to make it clearer, but a little consistency and a friendlier attitude wouldn't go amiss.

On the other hand, some of the other stewards were friendly and talkative, including the two who stopped me as I was accidentally walking down the players' tunnel! Seems to be as I've found elsewhere with them - some of the 'higher' stewards, or those in a more specialised position with some knowledge of the game are friendly. The low-level grunts don't have a clue what's going on and see every situation as having potential for aggro. It'll be interesting to see their reaction to our supporters when we're getting leathered one week...

It's nice. It'll take some getting used to before it feels like home. But we've got to make the best of it now. I still can't help thinking that, with us not having any control over things and that we'll only see money from ticket sales if we sell enough to cover the rent first, we're not going to be that much better off. If we hadn't had the cock-up with RCD and the ground was still ours I'd feel a lot more optimistic. Then again, maybe I'm still just finding it hard to move on from the Willows.