Q: Where are the refreshment outlets going to be satiate the Northstanders, both short term ie next season and the long term, to infinity and beyond?

and at the other end, so to speak, toilet facilities

Thanks for the information Vasty, I know when I first saw the revised plans for the North Stand, I was disappointed although I admitted MC had no other option due to spiralling costs. I thought the Stand would stick out like a sore thumb. However, when seeing how full it was at the HKR game on Thursday, I changed my mind, get as many fans as possible in there and no one will notice the void at the rear. As already been stated, Safety of fans is paramount, the new terracing will ensure that.

Probably the most pertinent question so far, it’s the one that bothers me the most.

I will ask but I wouldn’t be surprised if the club answer that one before I get chance to ask.

But if not I will ask.

Spot on and as I’ve noted already there are cheap and effective ways to hide the worst.

For the large part, I don’t see the issue with the North stand been spruced up the way it has been proposed. I genuinely like that feel of that old school environment which is a cauldron of fans chanting and creating an intimidating environment for the away side. As has been said, if we can do something to amplify the noise in there, it will become even more electric on match days. The new stand is there for fans who don’t wish to be in that atmosphere, which every fan will have the opportunity of how they want to view the game. I love a stadium that have ultra new facilities but also have the old school feel too. Headingley for me has got this off to a tee.

Obviously this isn’t a question but just my feelings on what’s going on.

As a general comment and made in the full understanding of the financial constraints of the redevelopment, I’m disappointed at the lack of any changes to the West Stand.

Whilst recognising that it’s the biggest eyesore in the whole stadium, IMO it’s an area which if developed offers one of the quickest routes to extra revenue, a driving force behind what and where is being redeveloped.

Belle Vue and the state of the West Terrace is no secret to travelling away fans, it’s sight lines, lack of any real cover, the access to it, the general dilapidated state of it and the filth that gathers at the back of it is what keeps many away supporters from making the trip to Wakefield games. That’s revenue lost from tickets, beer, food etc

When Warrington built the Halliwell Jones their increase in away fans was huge because initially people were curious about the new stadium but also in the long term because the new stadium offered greater comfort & facilities for travelling fans.

It’s hard to quantify but for some games I do believe we’re missing out on hundreds of fans maybe even a thousand or so at certain times. Over a season it could see our average attendance rise by 500 or so which reflects much better on the club as a viable business, something IMG will be looking at

Too late to change, I know, but food for thought and maybe a strong motivation to get it done sooner rather than later

Headingley away end is no better and offers no cover, similar to Cas, yet I’d go there in a heart beat no matter what the weather as it’s us our close rivals. Obviously the west Terrace needs upgrading, but I think the main thing is updating the facilities of our own support before concentrating on away fans. The one thing that sticks out what Headingley do better in the away end is the easier access to food and drink at the side.

This is so wrong, it's like you've never looked at the plans or the debate on here.

What are you missing on this, I'm sorry to sound condescending but its frustrating.

1: I stated right at the start of this post, the North stand is now down to 1500, it may be closed altogether if not re-developed! How would you like that for an eyesore right in front of the TV cameras and a reduction in capacity of 3,000!

2: The West terrace cannot have its capacity increased, only its viewing angles improved, where is the improved income stream in that. The west is for away fans and its capacity has never been tested yet, whilst most of the time it's half empty. It simply is not a priority. Of course we'd all like it to be done, but it can't at the moment and that is where we are unless you can find an extra million or two?

The West stand was NEVER in the plans! Why, because 10 million didn't go far even 18 month ago.

So no I won't be asking pointless questions regarding a part of the ground that everyone should already know the reasons why it's not included.

I try to be as informative as possible so please tell me how I can describe the situation better, that's a genuine question not a put down as I'm baffled.

Although I agree with the order of work, why can't the West Terrace capacity be increased?
I get that it's not a priority but are you saying there is something stopping its development?

Anyway, back to the actual development, the North and East sides.

This is very crude and would look way better in real life, but this is what I'm suggesting we do to smarten the rear of the new North stand and effectively hide the old terracing.

You can get a one piece banner like this for about £950, and they last about three years.

Looks good

Will the North stand be spruced up for the start of next year.

Basically the tread depth is correct, it's just the height thats wrong. So if you rebuilt it as formatted at present you'll achieve far superior viewing angles but no significant increase in capacity. I have the basic planning concept in my possession, and if you want, as it's you, I can send you them via e-mail. These are the concepts not actual plans, as they belong to the club.

I think we gain maybe an extra 100 or so, where as in the North stand it's nearly 1,500 - it's mathematics, nothing more.

As for changing the format and rebuilding a full length stand, then yes that would be possible, and would increase the capacity by as much as 500. However due to how restricted the space is that's about it. That extra 500 would cost you 2-3 million in todays prices, that would take some getting back, we'd need to play Cas every week. Most of the time it would be empty. Remember we have not gone anywhere near 7,600 in years.

Hope that helps.

I believe it will be ready to go from the first game.

It does help. Thank you.

Nice one. It’ll definitely do a job, like you say it’s a cost effective measure to also allow for more income through potential sponsorship. Be good to see it in person. With the new pitch, development of the east underway and tarting up of the North stand, that will do for me. I must just be easily pleased

What an over reaction!
Not every comment made by someone is a criticism, some are just observations and musing for the sake of discussion

I started by saying it was a general comment, NOT a question for you to ask the board, I certainly don’t want you speaking for me thanks.

I also said, I recognise the financial constraints, which I now see is £10 million not £12million to suit your argument

There’s nothing in my post that suggests we don’t do the North Stand so why you’ve ranted about that is a mystery

We don’t fill the West Stand, capacity raise or not, the reason being many potential away fans won’t travel to stand in it. The extra revenue from it would come from getting away fans to come and actually reaching capacity. Lastly I don’t believe for one second that there is no way at all to raise the capacity and yes I fully understand the size constraints, the residents objections to raising the height etc

It’s not a priority, yet the whole development has had raising revenue at the foundation of its plan, I’m merely pointing out that there’s a revenue stream argument for improving the West Stand. That argument was there 18 months ago as well so while I know it was never in the plans it possibly could maybe even should have been

I’m with others on here with regards YOU being a self appointed mouthpiece for all fans, you don’t speak for me and I wasn’t asking a question for you to adjudge it’s merit as being pointless or not.

You don’t need to explain better, just accept that not everyone is having a go at the club and read the comments better before firing off!

Sorry PB but whilst I hate to admit it, Headingley and Cas away terracing offers far better environment and sight lines than Wakefield and they’re considerably cleaner and more accessible

Thanks for the information and insight Vasty.

No qualms with the club on the development of Belle Vue.

Personally, I was never really in favour of Newmarket, and was asking for years, why can’t the old girl just be redeveloped.

The other week, I did feel a bit miffed about it being scaled back, but I do get it, and the fact that the increase in cost of materials.

If anything, I would like to see further development to the west and south. I know we say that we’re not bothered about away fans, but we’ve been away fans in a poor area of a stadium. I’ve been in that Western terrace, albeit about 15-20 years ago, and is poor, viewing wise, I think.

The Benidorm flats have been useful for us, but only really looks a temporary fix. It did when they went up, and still do now, I feel.

I don’t know the answers or solutions to this, but I know it would be further costs.

However, Rome wasn’t built in a day

To be honest, we'd probably be marketed better if we gave the Sky commentators a better place to sit.

Flats have to stay until we have millions spare to build something others standard of East Stand.
I'm in there a lot. Earns money and is a good view.

I totally agree about the viewing platform, but the point I was making was obviously no cover. No doubt it needs upgrading, but obviously don’t think it will be anytime soon.

Hopefully it will earn more money once the New East stand is fully functional, I believe the intention is to rent some of the current hospitality boxes as commercial/office spaces. All depends on how the Economy outlook develops.

No it’s not an over reaction.

There is already a thread 80 pages long regarding the development.

This thread is purely about the development as it is and what I’ve found out and what I’ll ask JM about.

The west and south parts of the ground are irrelevant because they are not part of this development. Rightly so imo but if you don’t agree there is already a thread for that.

On this occasion this thread is intended purely to deal with actual issues regarding the current development. I have my own opinions on the stadium as a whole and what we are doing now but it’s the opinions of those in charge I’m dealing with.

Please let’s get what we have sorted as best we can and face the next hurdle when we’ve jumped this one. Let’s not make this another club bashing thread.

Thanks

Yes they do but we can’t fix that now.