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Extending St Mary's

Tamesaint

By Tamesaint
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Joesaint

Joesaint

Posted
Posted
Personally I do not believe Plymouth will get anywhere building their stadium up to 40,000 for possible world cup venue..

 

Therefore IF Saints built their stadium up we would be in a position to show those organisers we are ready....

 

Would it be cost effective for our own games let alone as a long shot for World Cup..probably not yet....

 

If we built it to take the PISH out of Pompey....... I would laugh my proverbial little thing offf....Would we?

 

Agree

WealdSaint

WealdSaint

Posted
Posted

As ML is a construction man, he may see some attractions in investing in upgrading the stadium in one way or another.

 

With these sorts of projects you get something solid at the end.

 

ML & NC have already within a short period of ownership takled upgrading the training facilities and I would not be suprised to see other building works.

The Fat Controller

The Fat Controller

Posted
Posted

working within the rail industry,I Know this wont be as easy as some think. The line to the docks is still used for freight only (South west chord line), Plus the SWT depot at Northam use this as access sidings. You couldn't go in to Southampton Central without a reverse shunt in either direction at St Deny's. Then you would need rolling stock, Track access agreements, then to cover each train with additional crew on matchdays. This would also need staff to man the boarding at St Mary's. Overall not a cheap option

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
Personally I do not believe Plymouth will get anywhere building their stadium up to 40,000 for possible world cup venue..

 

Therefore IF Saints built their stadium up we would be in a position to show those organisers we are ready....

 

Would it be cost effective for our own games let alone as a long shot for World Cup..probably not yet....

 

If we built it to take the PISH out of Pompey....... I would laugh my proverbial little thing offf....Would we?

 

If Plymouth fail to build the stadium they promised then it would then go to one of the rejected bid cities like Hull or Leicester.

Avenue Saint

Avenue Saint

Posted
Posted

extend it at first feasable opportunity! Just another step in the cause of progress and development. bigger attendance means bigger revenue whether its through another18k or 8. All progress.

monsoon

monsoon

Posted
Posted

they wont be able build a station at the back of the kingsland stand because that land is used by siemens for trains arriving and departing the depot at northham 24/7.

xerox

xerox

Posted
Posted
extend it at first feasable opportunity! Just another step in the cause of progress and development. bigger attendance means bigger revenue whether its through another18k or 8. All progress.

 

i was thinking about this the other day. NC and ML say they want to run sfc as a sustainable concern, the only way to do this in the prem will be through bigger gates. we may have got over 30k all the time in the prem but it never gave us the revenue to really compete or stay out of debt.

 

build it before we get to the prem to ensure the revenue will come in, we will never be able to bank roll a prem team and expansion at the same time.

 

remember ML is NOT going to bankroll us for ever. if you want to compete with the best you have to do it at all levels, and that means a big ground - our fishy friends proberbly wish they had sorted out a new ground as they have proved you can't compete with a small ground.

landford.saint

landford.saint

Posted
Posted

As an aside...talking about trains... Did you know that the railway tunnel that goes under the civic centre cuts across the tunnel for the Southampton to Salisbury canal. This canal was closed in 1808. Do you think it is too late to reopen it, as I live about 200 yds from the Salisbury end of this canal, and it would make a more scenic/leisurely way of getting to matches.

whoateallthepies

whoateallthepies

Posted
Posted

I can add a few facts. I met with Andrew Cowan before he and Lowelife were first kicked out. Here are Cowan's responses to my questions:

Could you have chosen to increase capacity?

"Yes, the extra seating would add around 6,000 - 8,000 (that's my memory of the figure - it was a few years ago!!)

Why haven't you done it on the basis that we often sell out? (we were still in the Prem at the time of our meeting)

"It was just too expensive and we have higher priorities"

What about the option for a train station?

"We did explore this in the early days but the train companies wanted us to pay for it. We were never going to be able to afford that"

 

Hopefully the new owners will be able to take a more expansive view when we get back to the Prem. Surely a deal can be struck with the rail companies. Personally I would tell the council that the ground is going to be expanded and the station is needed for H&S reasons to handle the larger crowds safely. With the amount of money the club would be bringing into the local community, they might just be able to twist a few arms. Here's hoping.

Whitey Grandad

Whitey Grandad

Posted
Posted
As an aside...talking about trains... Did you know that the railway tunnel that goes under the civic centre cuts across the tunnel for the Southampton to Salisbury canal. This canal was closed in 1808. Do you think it is too late to reopen it, as I live about 200 yds from the Salisbury end of this canal, and it would make a more scenic/leisurely way of getting to matches.

Wouldn't you get your feet wet? :confused:

dune

dune

Posted
Posted
extend it at first feasable opportunity! Just another step in the cause of progress and development. bigger attendance means bigger revenue whether its through another18k or 8. All progress.

 

And Mr Liebherr isn't getting any younger. The sooner we build the better imo.

ottery st mary

ottery st mary

Posted
Posted
If Plymouth fail to build the stadium they promised then it would then go to one of the rejected bid cities like Hull or Leicester.

 

Yes you are right...

Too late for a very good sub in the right part of the world.;)

 

Having said that Bristol are struggling to get planning permission for their new ground...Couldn't remember if they were on the original list.

 

 

 

....Mind you we might not be getting an extended stadium anyway....

krissyboy31

krissyboy31

Posted
Posted
If Plymouth fail to build the stadium they promised then it would then go to one of the rejected bid cities like Hull or Leicester.

 

Still wouldn't rule it out TBH because FIFA have the final say on where the stadia are. Plymouth may struggle but I reckon the one that will fall and we would be asked to step in is the MK venue.

st alex

st alex

Posted
Posted
The Riverside isn't so bad. The one to avoid is the City Ground

 

http://www.stadiumguide.com/cityground.htm

 

That has a change of stand height part way along an end. Looks terrible.

 

Think St Mary's could still look ok it they extend 'sympathetically' . Need not be all 3 stands at once either. Could just put another tier on the Northam for instance, thereby solving the away fans issue too, because they could have 2 tiers of a much narrower section of the end/corner, still providing as much space for them as now, with 2 tiers of nearly all the bigger Northam end for home fans.

 

But I too can't see this happening for a while. I presme btw that during the building work, there would have to be some closure of the existing stands underneath? So

maybe if Liebher and Cortese are *really* ambitious they might just do it in the CCC in preparation for the premiership, whilst the crowds are still a bit smaller, but I doubt it.

 

K.

 

Hopefully it wouldn't have to look as bad as them, we should be abke to employ decent architectects, and since 3 stands would be increased backwards and upwards it could be given an entirely new shell, even circular, with the 'old' itchen stand left as it is.

Torbay Saint

Torbay Saint

Posted
Posted
Yes you are right...

Too late for a very good sub in the right part of the world.;)

 

Having said that Bristol are struggling to get planning permission for their new ground...Couldn't remember if they were on the original list.

 

 

 

....Mind you we might not be getting an extended stadium anyway....

 

You sure about that?

 

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/Planning/major-developments/bristol-city-football-club--new-stadium-at-ashton-vale.en;jsessionid=E1D76846491F2A41D6E9F9ACF5733729.tcwwwaplaws3

Junior Mullet

Junior Mullet

Posted
Posted

 

Every Premiership season at St Mary's from 2001 to 2005 averaged over 30k.

 

This is why I too think it could be less than light years away. Five year plan - how long do you think it will take to develop the ground? Perhaps the best part of 5 years?

Colinjb

Colinjb

Posted
Posted
If SMS was to be extended would it be a good idea to dig down so be could be closer to the pitch like the Dell was

 

 

Would sea level be a problem if this was tried?

CHAPEL END CHARLIE

CHAPEL END CHARLIE

Posted
Posted

We haven't got as far as permanently reopening the corners yet , so all this is very premature . It's not just a simple matter of raising the roof either , I presume we talking about constructing a new upper tier overhanging the existing structure or extending back over the current 'footprint' of the stadium . Quite major construction projects in either case and maybe 6 months work at least . As we can't shut St Marys for that length of time you'd have to do it one stand at a time possibly - meaning 3 years of disruption , lost income , and aggravation for club and fans alike .

 

It seems to me that if there are really 50,000 people desperate to see us play in the EPL the club could generate that kind of income by simply keeping SMS as it is and raising season ticket prices to £600+ each and save themselves of lot of trouble .

 

Not that I advocate they do that as I couldn't afford it !

ottery st mary

ottery st mary

Posted
Posted (edited)

 

Cheers.....I had not seen the final result....Good luck to Brizzle...Just over the road from the current ground.

 

 

Maybe only 30,000 seater planned?

Edited by ottery st mary
Crab Lungs

Crab Lungs

Posted
Posted

Just wondering... does anyone else get the feeling that if we did a build a bigger ground, more people will come? I have no statistical analysis to back this up other than going from 15,000 (sometimes under that) at The Dell to 30,000... and in the past, Sunderland regularly filled out their 48,000 seater in the Champ? More tickets, better pricing, bigger crowd?

Red And White Barmy Army

Red And White Barmy Army

Posted
Posted

i'm torn. one part of me says it is premature cos we still haven't re-opened the corners reguarly yet. another part of me wonders whether there's any good reason not to build it now.

 

> the work would reduce capacity for a while i suspect so it would be inconvenient to do this if we were already selling out reguarly (probs 3 years time).

> we don't have to open the expanded bits for games that won't sell out so would we lose any money by having it there and just opening it on the 'special' occasions that need a greater capacity.

> how are construction costs atm? If these are likely to increase significantly in the future then i think this would tip it for me.

 

Just strikes me as a sensible business move if there are no additional costs incurred by having 10,000+ seats empty on a regular basis. We may even be able to save money here if less security is needed because segregation is easier - maybe i'm clutching at straws now.

SFC Forever

SFC Forever

Posted
Posted
Just wondering... does anyone else get the feeling that if we did a build a bigger ground, more people will come? I have no statistical analysis to back this up other than going from 15,000 (sometimes under that) at The Dell to 30,000... and in the past, Sunderland regularly filled out their 48,000 seater in the Champ? More tickets, better pricing, bigger crowd?

 

This is why I have suggested the best option could be for a brand new stadium built outside of the City bounderies. More cost effective and far less inconvenient.

Torbay Saint

Torbay Saint

Posted
Posted
This is why I have suggested the best option could be for a brand new stadium built outside of the City bounderies. More cost effective and far less inconvenient.

 

Not sure that would pass the sustainability tests! Have a read of the Bristol City planning application and see what they have had to do in highways terms!

 

I've done one stadium redevelopment (for cricket) and the planning application did not take too much time to get through (nor did the Bristol City one really, which is for a larger quantum of development) so there is no need to rush it.

 

That said a full planning consent lasts for 3 years from the date of the decision notice so plenty of time to implement it if attendances increased!

 

It would certainly be a great job to be involved in!

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
We haven't got as far as permanently reopening the corners yet , so all this is very premature . It's not just a simple matter of raising the roof either , I presume we talking about constructing a new upper tier overhanging the existing structure or extending back over the current 'footprint' of the stadium . Quite major construction projects in either case and maybe 6 months work at least . As we can't shut St Marys for that length of time you'd have to do it one stand at a time possibly - meaning 3 years of disruption , lost income , and aggravation for club and fans alike .

 

Which is why it may be better to develop when crowds are already lower. If gates are averaging 20k like now and work reducing capacity to 20k, then it doesn't have much of an impact. As soon as Saints are back in the Premiership average will go straight over 30k from the 1st season back onwards. To then reduce capacity during work means a loss of income.

Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted
Plus the view is sh!t enough from the front 5 rows as it is. Imagine being even lower in relation to pitch level?

 

Surely it's the same in the front few rows at all these "old classic grounds" people always rave about.

monsoon

monsoon

Posted
Posted
Surely it's the same in the front few rows at all these "old classic grounds" people always rave about.

 

don't think they can lower the pitch level because of the burial grounds found under the stadium when it was being built. I think they were examined and then covered over, and are not allowed to be dug up again.

krissyboy31

krissyboy31

Posted
Posted
Surely it's the same in the front few rows at all these "old classic grounds" people always rave about.

 

The Dell was a bit different because it was only about 73 yards wall to wall (East to West Stand). I would think St Mary's wall to wall (Itchen to Kingsland) is in excess of 90 yards.

Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted
don't think they can lower the pitch level because of the burial grounds found under the stadium when it was being built. I think they were examined and then covered over, and are not allowed to be dug up again.

 

STFU :lol: You serious?

Joesaint

Joesaint

Posted
Posted
We haven't got as far as permanently reopening the corners yet , so all this is very premature . It's not just a simple matter of raising the roof either , I presume we talking about constructing a new upper tier overhanging the existing structure or extending back over the current 'footprint' of the stadium . Quite major construction projects in either case and maybe 6 months work at least . As we can't shut St Marys for that length of time you'd have to do it one stand at a time possibly - meaning 3 years of disruption , lost income , and aggravation for club and fans alike .

 

It seems to me that if there are really 50,000 people desperate to see us play in the EPL the club could generate that kind of income by simply keeping SMS as it is and raising season ticket prices to £600+ each and save themselves of lot of trouble .

 

Not that I advocate they do that as I couldn't afford it !

 

You could say it is better to do it when attendences are smaller then? ie sooner rather than later.

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