www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/4633 ... s_stadium/ The rugby league club is also set to enter into discussions with supporters’ groups about the new home and how the final season at Knowsley Road’s GPW stadium should be marked. Good news indeed

www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/4633 ... s_stadium/ The rugby league club is also set to enter into discussions with supporters’ groups about the new home and how the final season at Knowsley Road’s GPW stadium should be marked. Good news indeed

Everytime they anounce something the start building date moves back a quarter.

Old news that isnt it? Isnt Sadfish planning an "x-factor" sort of send off season, each week a thrash band perform on the pitch and we vote with the noise level we make as to wetehr they are good or not.. plus we are getting the gliter ball back. I think !

Aslong as they dont ask ISSA for any ideas, those guys are stuck in a timewarp, the chairman of ISSA hasnt a clue of the real world or hip things like "trainers" and "itunes".

I've noticed that too. It's a bit concerning.

There's no way we'll be in by May like they said last time.

How about mass pitch invasions ot rekindle memories of the good old days...

In fact, somoeone should let a dog on the pitch as well so we can all revel in the nostalgia of Rugby how it used to be.

Can we also come out from under the old boys pen to the crackle of 'oh when the Saint...'

The way they are talking and the how the project has gone so far! are we now looking at 2012 Season?

Still surprised they never went for 20,000 to keep it as a major stadium, but I suppose the argument will be is it worth it for a few games per year.

If that is the case it looks like we will spend the entire 2011 season in Widnes or Warrington. Instead of just the start of the 2011 season.

I think the reason is that 18500 is a specific style of stadium, then you go to 25,000 style stadium, I think the configuration for 20K is tricky.

but it's just a guess.

The article states that the tendering process ends towards the back end of November and the contract awarded to the succesfull bidding construction company.

I suspect the wait for the detailed plans and digital images have impacted on the ability of companies to finalise accurate bids.

Colquitt has instructed a company to complete this, so its all good news and another step closer.

Thanks, I didn't know that!

Why has it taken so long to get to the accurate plans for costings and quotes though?

That's The Very Nature of The Construction Industry they nit pick over every minute detail and Cost out every item it's just so they can try to avoid getting stuck in a Fiasco like Wembley. Dont worry its going to Happen and shut all The Trolls and Doom Merchants up for good.

Just get a fecking move on. I'm all for the new ground but they seem to be making a massive job out of it. I don't remember such ramblings when the Wire upgraded their pad. How long did that take from announcement to completion?

Took Wire the best part of 3 and a half years from first announcement to hand over(although that included a public enquiry.)22 months from granting planning permission(after the enquiry)to hand over of the stadium.

Tesco also had a vested interest in getting the shell of the stadium finished before they opened their store.

St Helens have been talking about a new ground for a long period of time easily as long as Warrington, even not having the same problems they had.

I can't see how you can deny that Warrington moved much quicker (even though I am not impressed with the Ikea style build)

I have some doubts about Langtree, the latest as featured in this weeks "Reporter" about the building of the bridge over the Sankey Canal for a path to the new ground, which will not allow canal boats which has been in planning for a long time. Also concern about funding resources at St Helens RLFC and the Chairman, Simon Moran at Warrington always seems to have been able to pull money out of the hat and get everything moving! even with big money signings! currently Knowsley Road seems to be better with announcements and promises! rather than action.

Jaybs The canal, apart from some short sections, has been infilled for something like 40 years. To re open the canal would also involve demolishing buildings and digging up roads which have been built across it in the intervening decades. So to build a low level bridge across what is currently a fish pond is nothing drastic.
The St.Helens canal itself was never linked to the national canal network, it merely went from St.helens to Warrington. So even if millions were spent rebuilding it. The canal itself is unlikely to generate sufficient trade to boost local economy, IMO.
From historical reasons it would be great to reopen the canal, but there is a reason it got filled in.

Do let facts get in the way C.M.

a survey of the town by the tourist boad 10 years back said, opening up the canal would be top of their agenda to help attract more tourist to the town.

Tourists? To St Helens? I mean, it's my home town and all that, but other than for visits to family or friends, I just cannot envisage 'tourist' and 'St Helens' sitting in a familiar fashion in the same sentence.

As for the stadium ... first we had the crisis at Taylor Wimpey, which slowed down matters, then we had blatherings from Langtree over the price they had settled on Knowsley Road; land which is now lower in value than when the contract was agreed. Those two factors have held up matters. However, that there is now a date on the table - November 27th - is helpful because once we start dealing in specific dates, then there is a chance things will actually get moving. I'm looking forward to seeing this 3D plan thingy of the proposed finished product.

I wonder what is happening to that great big eyesore called the bottle shop?

Soem kid set fire to it on November the 5th 2009. Such a shame.

It is not only the Tourist Board who see the development and work on the Sankey Canal as vital for the future!

I still question Langtree and the way this project has been handled and also some at the Club?

Saints.
Haydock Park.
Dream.
St Helens Festival.
St Helens Comedy Festival.
Music Festival.

All of which, if marketed correctly, can bring a decent number of tourists into the town.

Its my home town as well, and I accept every Town or UK City attempts to bring in some tourist trade, Cragganmore Kid lists a few, but misses out the Glass Museum which advertises regular in the national newspapers especially around bank holidays and special events (have to admit I have never been and never visit the Pilkington Museum on Prescot Road)

World of Glass, good call.

Also, the Transport Museum.

Not to mention the 9(?) green flag parks in the borough.
Plenty ways to attract tourists into our town.