Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:06 am  

Ok, I'm still trying to digest what was discussed last night, far wider than I expected. So what I'm going to do is drip feed stuff through as things get confirmed or become more relevant. Please keep an eye on this thread because it won't just be about the stadium, but also potential investors, ways to invest, ways to help if you so wish.

So I'll kick it off with the North stand. Part of the scaling back of the North stand was a cost saving, however it needs pointing out that there were other reasons for changing, not just the plan but also the method. In the past few years (since the original plans) the terrace has degraded faster than expected. Hence the original method considered was proving less viable. No need to go into too much detail, but rather than replacing the terrace we are now building over it. Below is an image taken yesterday that shows way better than I can explain just how bad the terrace has become. I was shocked as you don't really notice it on match day.

This form of over terracing can be taken further towards the back of the stand as required but for now the club deems the expected new capacity of the North stand more than adequate.

PLEASE PLEASE NOTE, there will be nothing about players so if you don't mind please refrain, there are plenty of other threads for that.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:17 am  

I stood in the North Stand for the first time in nearly 15 years against Hull KR and was shocked at how poor it really was. I walked past the bit you've highlighted and couldn't believe it was allowed in this day and age.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:22 am  

vastman wrote:

Ok, I'm still trying to digest what was discussed last night, far wider than I expected. So what I'm going to do is drip feed stuff through as things get confirmed or become more relevant. Please keep an eye on this thread because it won't just be about the stadium, but also potential investors, ways to invest, ways to help if you so wish.

So I'll kick it off with the North stand. Part of the scaling back of the North stand was a cost saving, however it needs pointing out that there were other reasons for changing, not just the plan but also the method. In the past few years (since the original plans) the terrace has degraded faster than expected. Hence the original method considered was proving less viable. No need to go into too much detail, but rather than replacing the terrace we are now building over it. Below is an image taken yesterday that shows way better than I can explain just how bad the terrace has become. I was shocked as you don't really notice it on match day.

This form of over terracing can be taken further towards the back of the stand as required but for now the club deems the expected new capacity of the North stand more than adequate.

PLEASE PLEASE NOTE, there will be nothing about players so if you don't mind please refrain, there are plenty of other threads for that.

That change in level has been there since I can remember (1978 onwards), and it used to have those old tubular barriers against it, as well as some of that bent steel fence that still survives around some of the pitch. I used to notice it when wandering around the old program shed that used to sit there next to the old scoreboard. I don’t believe it is a new thing or is getting worse.

Sounds like a pretext to me.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:22 am  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

I stood in the North Stand for the first time in nearly 15 years against Hull KR and was shocked at how poor it really was. I walked past the bit you've highlighted and couldn't believe it was allowed in this day and age.

Technically it isn't, that's part of the problem. We simply had to replace it, it wasn't a choice it was an order. It would have been closed for next year or at best reduced to a few hundred.

In a way it's as vital as the East stand in a different way.

As stated before, although the West terrace looks a bit of a mess, structurally its totally sound and requires no work to get a safety certificate.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:27 am  

vastman wrote:

Ok, I'm still trying to digest what was discussed last night, far wider than I expected. So what I'm going to do is drip feed stuff through as things get confirmed or become more relevant. Please keep an eye on this thread because it won't just be about the stadium, but also potential investors, ways to invest, ways to help if you so wish.

So I'll kick it off with the North stand. Part of the scaling back of the North stand was a cost saving, however it needs pointing out that there were other reasons for changing, not just the plan but also the method. In the past few years (since the original plans) the terrace has degraded faster than expected. Hence the original method considered was proving less viable. No need to go into too much detail, but rather than replacing the terrace we are now building over it. Below is an image taken yesterday that shows way better than I can explain just how bad the terrace has become. I was shocked as you don't really notice it on match day.

This form of over terracing can be taken further towards the back of the stand as required but for now the club deems the expected new capacity of the North stand more than adequate.

PLEASE PLEASE NOTE, there will be nothing about players so if you don't mind please refrain, there are plenty of other threads for that.

How much of a shortfall in money Is there from the original plans to the new ones and is every penny which we have been given getting spent or is some getting held back

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:28 am  

BackSeatCoach wrote:

That change in level has been there since I can remember (1978 onwards), and it used to have those old tubular barriers against it, as well as some of that bent steel fence that still survives around some of the pitch. I used to notice it when wandering around the old program shed that used to sit there next to the old scoreboard. I don’t believe it is a new thing or is getting worse.

Sounds like a pretext to me.

Wow that didn't take long.

S you know better than the council surveyors do you, unbelievable comment. Bore holes were sunk a few weeks ago and a scan was done, It's not just the shape which incidentally is worse it's whats happening underneath, but you being an expert you'd know that, incredible just incredible.

Tell you what you get on to the Council and you tell them they are wrong and shouldn't shut the terrace, tell them it's a pretext

I honestly don't know why we have directors or engineers or safety officers when all we need to do is consult you.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:33 am  

MOPSEY LIVES ON wrote:

How much of a shortfall in money Is there from the original plans to the new ones and is every penny which we have been given getting spent or is some getting held back

Don't think I'm talking out of turn here. The original plan was to hold a bit back. Not for players but purely to upgrade other parts of the ground. That's totally out of the window. For the past two months we have been chipping away at the plans just to keep them within budget. I actually got the impression that the directors had begged and borrowed a bit more to make up the difference, that's how bad it is. Prices of both labour and especially materials have gone through the roof.

For example steal price have virtually doubled, but the scrap price has fallen, yet the demolitions cost have risen- you can't win.

Nothing and I mean nothing has reduced in cost.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:21 am  

vastman wrote:

Don't think I'm talking out of turn here. The original plan was to hold a bit back. Not for players but purely to upgrade other parts of the ground. That's totally out of the window. For the past two months we have been chipping away at the plans just to keep them within budget. I actually got the impression that the directors had begged and borrowed a bit more to make up the difference, that's how bad it is. Prices of both labour and especially materials have gone through the roof.

For example steal price have virtually doubled, but the scrap price has fallen, yet the demolitions cost have risen- you can't win.

Nothing and I mean nothing has reduced in cost.

I know you’re not everyone’s cup of tea on here Vasty, but thanks for the information now and hopefully future re ground updates. I think everyone on here is keen for regular updates, and if it’s not from the club (disappointedly) then I suppose from you we have the next best thing.

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:32 am  

Double post

Re: Stadium and other issues : Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:32 am  

vastman wrote:

Wow that didn't take long.

S you know better than the council surveyors do you, unbelievable comment. Bore holes were sunk a few weeks ago and a scan was done, It's not just the shape which incidentally is worse it's whats happening underneath, but you being an expert you'd know that, incredible just incredible.

Tell you what you get on to the Council and you tell them they are wrong and shouldn't shut the terrace, tell them it's a pretext

I honestly don't know why we have directors or engineers or safety officers when all we need to do is consult you.

I would assume that the work done to take into account the levels on the north terrace (I too remember the area which had loop topped fencing separating the levels) was either short term or sub standard… that said…I’m not at all surprised at the deterioration of the sub structure… hopefully the new structure is a long term solution…