Thought this was worth a new thread.

I may not be universally popular but I hope my record on the stadium issue is pretty good.

I now have the full story but for confidentiality reasons I’ll keep it limited on here. It’s an outside source but well connected to the development though not the club.

Firstly the North stand is restricted to 1500 at present and may drop further if left untouched. That is a fact. The new terracing on the North stand should be easy enough to extend if needed in the future so no need to panic. I’m assured it won’t look as bad as you think.

Ugly as it may appear to some the new scheme will double that 1500 and will meet all safety standards.

The final capacity of BV as a whole will be 7600. That is actually over 2000 more than we started this season with. So think on, for all the ridiculous IMO moaning and pettiness that’s a massive leap in so many ways.

Secondly I’m hoping to meet with JM at his invitation at some point and I will confirm some questions I have.

It’s extremely open and generous of JM to do this, hopefully there will be another SWAG person with me so it won’t just be my word.

I’ve no idea when this will happen but should it go ahead I am willing to field some sensible questions. STADIUM ONLY!

From my own point of view please stop the sniping. Where players, coaches and performances are concerned that’s fair game. On this one it’s utterly unfair. The club are doing their best with what has now become a relatively small budget, let’s just see shall we!

All poster replies welcome except for cosmicat, I cannot be held responsible where he is concerned. I’d like this to be a constructive thread please.

Thanks

This is really useful and informative. Thanks for doing this.

This is not nazis Germany if I have view I’ll post it again who appointed you as a chairman of the supporters?

Dear Lord

We have a way in to ask the club more questions and get clarity on points you may have.

Put your differences aside and give Vasty a list of your finest questions.

Correct and that’s why I excluded him.

Must add it may be some time and I will not betray any confidences. At the end of the day it’s just a coffee and a catch up as a courtesy. I have no say whatsoever in what’s going on and I also want a meet because I have a fundraising idea I wish to talk about, nothing to do with the stadium.

I’ve struck lucky here but I don’t want to push it.

I’ve only posted this thread because I suspect the club is getting frustrated that something that is a huge positive is somehow being twisted into a negative. And by some who should know better, I just don’t get it.

I’ll happily raise concerns, how the club respond is up to them. I’ll give you what I can.

Hold on and enjoy the ride.

Well done Vasty and I'm sure many more sensible posters on here will appreciate what you are doing.
As for questions I understand the North stand situation and can live with it. Like many more on here, my concern is the West Terrace, which is an eyesore now, but which will stand out like a sore thumb when the new East stand goes up. Just wondered what plans they had to raise the money to sort that and any possible timescale?

Some communication from the club would be appreciated, this kicking off about the revised plans could have been nipped in the bud fairly easily IMO.

Sorry Vasty. You can't exclude someone from a thread. Just put him on ignore if it's a problem.

Thanks for the update, I have a real keen interest in the stadium redevelopment and was initially disappointed with the north terrace update as it seemed abit of a downgrade. However needs must and the main development is the east stand which is going to be the biggie for us. If your asking do they intend to put a backing onto the north stand to increase the noise going towards the pitch think this will make a big difference and add to the match day experience. And if the new terracing is higher because of steel, framework etc and not terracing can we go back much further without having to alter the roof (basically will extending the back section be relatively simple when money allows)

I will ask that.

My suggestion is a simple one and I’ve seen it done. Basically hang a giant canvass prints from the roof behind where the terrace ends. You can get these tough outdoor prints at huge sizes, you often see them hanging outside new apartment developments in length and width that could easily hide the North stand void.

The real beauty is that you could get a a sponsor to pay for it as they could have their name all over it.

Last time I went to HKR a few years back they had used similar to spruce up there main stand.

There is always a way.

Will ask

I asked him to exclude himself.

I thought he might take the hint.

I’m surprised you’ve let the Nazi ref go. I find that rather frustrating based on recent comments.

Won’t ask that, sorry but how the club chose to communicate is up to them.

However if you wish to comment go to the contact page on the web site. Those emails go straight to MC and he usually responds. It’s how I got in touch, I didn’t ingratiate myself at the club bar I just asked. I think your question is fair just not one for me to ask.

I don't think he excluded you from posting, just said he wont waste his time or embarrass himself passing on your drivel.

Correct

I for one Vasty, may have criticised the club, on such as playing, players, coaches etc.

However, the stadium revamp, is something which I haven't, and won't. Not many on here will know all the ins and outs, and all the legalities. There are often third parties involved, which can sometimes put a spanner in the works.

I'm older than a lot of our fans, but not old enough to remember glory days, both on and off the pitch, including many false dawns regarding new stadiums etc.

I think on this front, it's nervous times ahead for the club, bit at the same time.

I'm looking forward to seeing the first bricks being laid, and walking in there for the first time

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.