Thetownend.com

Trust STFC commit to £500,000 Stratton Bank roof project

TRUST STFC have committed to building a roof on the Stratton Bank at the County Ground, with an expressed intention of getting the structure in place by the start of the 2016/17 season.

Acting on the authority of Swindon Town, representatives of the Trust have engaged Beard Construction and Reid Steel to undertake surveys of the existing stand and its foundations, with a view to submitting blueprints to the council for planning permission this summer.

Plans have been drawn up for a £500,000 propped cantilever stand, which the Trust intend to be funded partly by corporate finance and partly with contributions from benefactors and fans, and constructors have been on site this week assessing the work which would need to be done.

Trust board member Mike Welsh, who has been overseeing the project, told Link Sport:  “We’re very keen to improve the matchday experience of fans and we think one of the key items is that the Stratton Bank should have a roof. It was first mooted in 1958 but the Trust has now committed itself to working with the club to create a roof over the Stratton Bank.

“The club were approached by the Trust and they agreed that we would undertake a feasibility survey. This has involved talking to a number of very experienced builders and constructors, including Reid Steel of Christchurch in Dorset, who constructed the stand at the Ealing Road end at Brentford.

“Also, on the groundwork side, we are working with a local, very well respected team at Beards. Very shortly we are going to be proceeding with an invasive site survey to see what is actually under the terracing because that will be very important in how the stand is constructed.

“We’re looking at a propped cantilever roof which means there will be a stanchion due to costings. The stand at Brentford cost £850,000 and we are looking at something around £500,000 for 2,250 seats, which will only have one central stanchion.”

Planning permission has previously been granted for a Stratton Bank roof taller than the option currently being discussed by the Trust, the club and its contractors, and Welsh hopes that any regeneration – which would also include the creation of a community garden behind the stand – would benefit residents on Shrivenham Road as well as supporters.

“We’ve had a lot of intense discussions with the constructors, there have been site surveys and we’ve had some fairly detailed stuff to date. We’re approaching the outcome of that site survey and then we’ll be in a position to go back to the club and talk about timescales, getting planning permission, talking to the council as freeholders and, very importantly, talking to local residents,” he said.

“We think this will enhance the experience of living there. It will tidy up a very untidy, scrappy area behind the existing Bank and reduce the noise as well.

“I’d like to see it opened for the season after next, so the season starting August 2016. Hopefully by then we’ll be an established Championship side but this stand will happen whether we are a Championship side or whatever division we are in.”

The Trust see placing a roof on the Stratton Bank as a major part of attracting more new fans to the County Ground and Welsh stressed that they are fully committed to completing the project.

The £500,000 needed to finance the construction, according to Welsh, would ideally be made up of an 80 per cent contribution from businesses and 20 per cent from other sources, such as supporter donations or fundraising.

“We are determined to achieve this. We have talked to some corporate supporters about providing some finance for the stand but we will also be talking to the wider public and fans of Swindon to support this as well. We’re quietly determined to get this done,” said Welsh.

“We would like to see something like an 80-20 split. I think that would be great. I think a lot of people recognise that, to move the County Ground forward, this needs to occur.

“We’re working very closely with Mark Isaacs, the stadium manager, and Steve Anderson, the general manager. They’ve been very positive. Everyone who works at Swindon Town understands the necessity of doing this.

“We’re here for the long haul, we’re here for whoever eventually runs this club. Lee Power is doing a wonderful job at the moment but we’re here for the long haul and the Stratton Bank is very much part of that.”

When asked when the Trust intends to submit plans for approval, Welsh said: “Once we have had the discussions with the club and the council and the residents then we’ll be ready to do that. I suspect that will be in the next few months.”

This isn't a rebuild, just a hat and perhaps a bit of bog building right?

'propped cantilever stand' at the risk of sounding stupid, what does this mean?

'propped cantilever stand' at the risk of sounding stupid, what does this mean?

You have to look with envy at the work going on down the M4, with a capacity increase to 27,000 looming with a re-development

Yes, but they've got a benefactor*willing to chuck seemingly inexhaustible funds at the club** we, simply, don't. You have to cut your cloth accordingly.

*Chump
**Lost Cause.

It would be nice to have a roof on the bank if we do get promoted. Hopefully it will get more use than this season. If the facilities are improved on SB then why not give away supporters the Town End?  8)

I thought they were saying it will have one pillar down the middle, like Portsmouths roof that was added within recent years.

Anyway I'd have the bank for home fans. A Stratton Bank with roof and improved facilities sounds better than the current town end to me.

I thought they were saying it will have one pillar down the middle, like Portsmouths roof that was added within recent years.

Classy.

Like putting lipstick on a pig

Yes it's a sticking plaster. That's a lot better than leaving the wound open.

Great work.

Having researched slightly, they'd be better off keeping their gunpowder dry, at least until Mr Power comes clean about his Australian appearance...

I thought they were saying it will have one pillar down the middle, like Portsmouths roof that was added within recent years.

Anyway I'd have the bank for home fans. A Stratton Bank with roof and improved facilities sounds better than the current town end to me.

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Yep there is just no pleasing some fans.

Agreed. It's a big improvement on what's been there for the last 20 odd years.  Seats bolted on to an uncovered terrace is an embarassment.  I don't know why people are being so fucking sniffy about it. Jebus wept  ::)

You've missed the point. If we were packing the County Ground out week in week out then fair enough, put a roof on it, make the bogs humane, free up the Arkells. But currently its barely used.

May as well use 500K on something useful.

PV made a point about reduced policing costs. That's fair enough, if it pays back 500K in savings to the club then I totally see the point.
--
Speculating on getting to the Championship and needing it is all well and good, but its a lot of money to raise/use 'just in case'.

Would you build a £50,000 extension on your house that you only used when the family came round at Christmas?

It's a senseless waste of money. Until we're selling out every week, there's absolutely no need to do this.

But its not costing the club is it

The trust want to use it for kids when not required for away fans but you can't have kids sitting in the pissing rain .the whole point of building a roof is to get it back in use every game.

The trust want to use it for kids when not required for away fans but you can't have kids sitting in the pissing rain .the whole point of building a roof is to get it back in use every game.

Where did I say it was. Its hopefully completely obvious that if the club can't make 500K in savings/increased revenue from having the roof that the Trust may as well raise 500K and just give it to the club.

The trust want to use it for kids when not required for away fans but you can't have kids sitting in the pissing rain .the whole point of building a roof is to get it back in use every game.

Not as feasible though really is it? A large chunk of the money could be achieved through sponsorship. No fucker cares to sponsor it at the moment, but marketed as a new stand, being used more often, companies will be more prepared to part with their hard earned to stick their name on it.

I saw today on twitter the trust are doing an initiative for the Crawley game, in the DRS
Probably the bank end

(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/bigboywooly/trust%20Crawley.jpg) (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/bigboywooly/media/trust%20Crawley.jpg.html)

Where did I say it was. Its hopefully completely obvious that if the club can't make 500K in savings/increased revenue from having the roof that the Trust may as well raise 500K and just give it to the club.

This is the real test. Everyone wants something for nothing and that's what the Fleetwood game gave them, now they have to stump up the measly fee of £19 for an adult and 3 kids. Lets see how many take this one up! If we can get 500, I'd be impressed.

I thought plans for a roof on the bank were already in with the council?

The pinocchio lookalike cunt mccrory said so himself :D

Yes coz large companies are queuing up to just give Swindon town 500k to spunk up the wall!! However mention an enclosure for kids and you get their attention.

Can't see it being as simple as putting a roof on it, the whole stand is in poor shape.
Surely when the survey is completed we will know more, but can't see them just being allowed to put a roof on it, as Ardiles says, it's just polishing a turd.

McCrory quoted a price of 120k for the roof so god knows what he had in mind!

I thought plans for a roof on the bank were already in with the council?

The pinocchio lookalike cunt mccrory said so himself :D

Stood there a few times meself.

Especially remember the seemingly endless pairings with Pompey - the Kamara years - in the League Cup.

Happy Days......not Pompey again :)

I saw today on twitter the trust are doing an initiative for the Crawley game, in the DRS
Probably the bank end

(http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/bigboywooly/trust%20Crawley.jpg) (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/bigboywooly/media/trust%20Crawley.jpg.html)

Remember that live on TV game where Mildenhall injured his nuts.

Just why was that game on TV?

Remember that live on TV game where Mildenhall injured his nuts.

Just why was that game on TV?

'propped cantilever stand' at the risk of sounding stupid, what does this mean?

McCrory quoted a price of 120k for the roof so god knows what he had in mind!

With regards to funding, are we not eligible for some sort of grant? Other teams seem to get them. Surely with no ground improvements since 94' we'd be considered?

As the trust have already met with the club you would have thought if he had anything to come clean about he would have

Anyway for once its some good news re the CG so am not complaining esp as not costing the club anything
Kudos to the trust  :beers:

'propped cantilever stand' at the risk of sounding stupid, what does this mean?

I know what you're getting at - either propped or cantilever ?

Never happen. As far as plod are concerned it's easier to contain away fans in the Bank

For some years when I lived down there, I was a regular at Fratton Park, and trust me that is a infinitely better than the old open Milton End.

Would you build a £50,000 extension on your house that you only used when the family came round at Christmas?

It's a senseless waste of money. Until we're selling out every week, there's absolutely no need to do this.

An invasive survey means drilling into the bank to see what's below and determine the  type of footings required for the stantions.

What's wrong with away fans sitting in the rain ?

"Elephant in the room"

Probably just a front for Fracking - eh Reg

Sniffy...really?!

Lukewarm, maybe.  There's a little more nuance to the criticism than you're making out.

I'm surprised at how sniffy half the posters here seem to be about this. It's not like there's a better plan on the table. Nothing has changed at the CG for 20 years, even under owners who were committed to ground redevelopment, which Power said he isn't. Given that the club support this, then you have to assume that the mysterious Oz sponsorship doesn't trump it.

I think it's brilliant that the fans' organisation is doing such meaningful stuff these days. If it costs the club nothing and they get to benefit from some added income, it gets my vote.

Don't agree

The Police would love to park the away fans coaches directly behind the "Town end " if it was for away fans.
Makes a lot of sense from a policing point of view.
But as someone from an old forgotten era, that used to defend the Town End from away fans at all costs, I think we would sell our soul if we gave up the Town End.

Ah, but we did.  Cannot remember the exact date but sometime about 20 years or so ago away fans were given the Town End for a season!!  Caused a lot of hurt amongst regulars, some saying they would never come back to the CG!!  Don't know if they ever did, but you get the gist of it all!!!

Ah, but we did.  Cannot remember the exact date but sometime about 20 years or so ago away fans were given the Town End for a season!!  Caused a lot of hurt amongst regulars, some saying they would never come back to the CG!!  Don't know if they ever did, but you get the gist of it all!!!

Yep.  Voicing legitimate concerns about ground redevelopment strategy should be kept well away from a football forum.

I was half excited about this until I read this thread.

I fucking hate Town fans.

I was half excited about this until I read this thread.

I fucking hate Town fans.

What concerns???? They're just putting a roof on a stand. Bloody hell  ::)

I'm really baffled that so much offence is being taken at a range of views being held on this.  We're a fanbase.  Opinions will be split on many issues.  And this is a discussion forum.

In short, my concerns are that this development represents poor use of money.  It feels like a sticking plaster solution that will further push back the point at which we finally do get round to building something worth having.

Constructive criticism does not imply pessimism or lack of ambition.  Quite the opposite.  We need more of it, not less.

I'm not offended at all my friend, I just don't share your concerns...

At last.  So you do, at least, accept that it's OK for other people to have concerns - even if you don't?

If someone has an opinion that differs from yours, it does not make it wrong.  It's just a different perspective.  Comments along the lines of 'I despair at Town fans' (not a direct quote) simply because they have a different outlook is not helpful.

How is crying that we've done nothing in 20 years, and then crying about the first plans that pop up helpful? You've been the biggest advocate of developing the ground, when it looks like the worst part of it might get a small upgrade you're still not happy? And I'm the one being unhelpful. Grow up.

At the start of 90-91 the away fans had the Town End for a while, after it had been seated in the summer. I remember Middlesbrough having it in Sep 90.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHrjuKTk690

At last.  So you do, at least, accept that it's OK for other people to have concerns - even if you don't?

If someone has an opinion that differs from yours, it does not make it wrong.  It's just a different perspective.  Comments along the lines of 'I despair at Town fans' (not a direct quote) simply because they have a different outlook is not helpful.

fuck me. this forum is bollocks sometimes.

what's the point of it if you can't offer differing views.

doing nothing isn't an option, but it may be preferable to doing the wrong thing for the sake of it. the harm is that 500k is a lot of money, the trust will probably only get to raise and spend that once.

it needs more explanation as to why it's needed. based on the information provided you can't  say it's clear cut.

But I think the whole idea is a pointless waste of money, I won't be contributing.

Thank fuck there's a football match this afternoon to distract us from all this twattery.

As long as any new TE has a bar I'm happy!

Just over 500 sold I believe

I'm really baffled that so much offence is being taken at a range of views being held on this.  We're a fanbase.  Opinions will be split on many issues.  And this is a discussion forum.

In short, my concerns are that this development represents poor use of money.  It feels like a sticking plaster solution that will further push back the point at which we finally do get round to building something worth having.

Constructive criticism does not imply pessimism or lack of ambition.  Quite the opposite.  We need more of it, not less.

that only works if the adults weren't going to pay £25 had the offer not been on :)

True, but it's more about recouping some lost funds for me I would say and getting the kids hooked at the same time.

I'm going to fucking moan about this if it happens.

I'll also moan about it if it doesn't.

That's becaise I'm a genuine football fan.

So fuck you.

We'd probably all like a mega millions redevelopment of the ground, which includes The Arkells, Town End & Stratton Bank, Unfortunately we don't have either the money to do it ourselves or the backing to get someone else to do it (Yet). So the choice is do something, like getting a roof on The SB, or to do fuck all, which seems to be the default position of STFC over the last few years. I personally can't see a negative to getting a roof on the bank; it's not taking money from the Club so what's the problem?

If the trust spend £500k and it prolongs the life of the bank for another 10 years or so. Will be interesting to see if it gets used as an away end or we maintain the current Arkells arrangement and the Trust use it for some of their ticket initiatives?. Either way should work, we might get more away fans if we reduce the price from the side stands to Town End equivalent or we can do some kids go free or reduced offers and bring in revenue that way.

Personally I think our floodlights are woefully embarrassing as only half the bulbs work. Was told the cost of repairing each failed unit was over a grand.

A good compromise could be to keep the pylons but upgrade the electrics and lights to something more modern.

Our floodlights are ace. Are they worthy of protection / listed status? Reg most know someone from English heritage :).  I was reading an article last week on gas holders and although most of the hundreds dotted around our urban landscape will soon be gone, 10-15 have listed status.  Horlock will probably know more.

I'd like them to stay irrespective of what happens with redevelopment, but formal protection could hinder full scale works, which in turn could force us to look at an plastic out of town stadium (which would be hyper shit). 

Personally I think our floodlights are woefully embarrassing as only half the bulbs work. Was told the cost of repairing each failed unit was over a grand.

"For Seasons 2011 through to 2014 a grounds  floodlighting must be provided to an average minimum lux reading of at least the following levels:  For Leagues 1 & 2 it’s 350 lux , Championship League 500 lux and to achieve the best level for Digital TV coverage 800 lux will be required. No single reading can be less·than the following: For leagues 1 & 2  it’s  210 lux , Championship 300 lux  or less than one quarter of the highest reading obtained so as to ensure an even spread of light. These levels will increase for  2014 seasons onwards."
(from Bailey and Birch website)

Looks like we will have to do something for next season if we go up - that's a big jump to 800 Lux if we go back to the PL !!!!!

We were having this kind of conversation a good 8 years ago.  Fitton's mob did a few bits of "low hanging fruit" like the pics by the join of Arkells and TE, but essentially nothing much has changed....including the ability of TEFers to talk bollocks  :)

http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=16066.0

Is there are any reasons they can't have some side wings on it?

Where's this artist's impression then?

Looks like somebody knocked it up on Microsoft Paint.

To be fair (and possibly not helped by the Advertiser titling it as an architects impression) it appears to have been prepared by the steelwork company and thus will only intend to show the steelwork structure in simple terms - hence its simplicity etc.

we need to know the plan for the Rolex though

I'd really like to know the cost of bulldozing the fucker and starting again with something small but tidy. That's really the only way to know if the turd polishing if value for money or not.

In an ideal world I'd have one of these in place of Statton Bank.....

(http://www.footballgroundguide.com/northampton_town/sixfields-stadium-northampton-south-stand.jpg)

and one of these in place of the Town End

(http://www.saddlers.co.uk/cms_images/news/tile-choice-stand-640x360250-247301_478x359.jpg)

Only problem being, if we did the bank development like that, it would reduce the grounds capacity quite a bit until a new town end was feasible. It would mean the stand would actually be used most of the time though and would tidy the ground up a lot.

The plan is for the Rolex clock to remain where it is as the roof's height will be below the clock.

What about the scoreboard?!

We're going for the full on upgrade to one of these:

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KFlEYbynWNM/U_4Ro5UNrDI/AAAAAAAAF_A/YDUXEX_mr48/s1600/SAM_0107.JPG)

The plan is for the Rolex clock to remain where it is as the roof's height will be below the clock.

Can't they just pawn the clock, Rolex that size probably pay for the stand itself!

The question has been asked around why not just put a new stand in.  From memory, the likely cost of a new stand is between £1,000 to £1,500 per seat.  So around £2.3m to £3.45m to replace 2300 seats.  The variance will be down to the level of work required under the structure.  The guys who did the PNE development confirmed these types of costs when Fitton/Wray were looking into the costs a few years ago and it ties in with published numbers from other grounds.  That's without site clearance as well.

Perhaps we can have a retractable roof for when city visit?  :sherlock:

No. Cheaper to install sprinklers.

We've got fire hoses surely? Can't we just turn one of them on them at half time?

No. Cheaper to install sprinklers.

Trust bloke on the radio just said the roof is going to be below the clock/ scoreboard  ??? ???

Some more detail of the Scunny proposal - I would link but its a trade thing which is subscription only:


New ground will hold 12,000

Plans for a new 12,000 seat stadium for Scunthorpe United by the Frank Whittle Partnership have been sent in to local planners.

North Lincolnshire councillors are expected to consider the scheme in April with the League One club hoping work will start soon after if it gets the green light.

The stadium is part of a wider £25 million out-of-town football and leisure development at a site near its present Glanford Park ground.

The plan also includes a 100-bed hotel, a multi-use indoor arena, community sports pitches with the club also looking at indoor and outdoor bowling facilities.

Around £18 million will be spent on the new ground for The Iron, whose past players include former European footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan and England cricketer Ian Botham who played a handful of games for the club in 1980.

A sweeping curve on the main stand enhanced by a steel truss pays homage to Scunthorpe’s steelwork history.

FWP managing partner David Robinson said: “We have worked very hard with the club to create a vibrant and modern development that will be a real asset to the community and the local economy.”

Just googled their proposed plans... the stadium they want to build looks pretty swanky.

Hence why it's costing more than the usual average £1m every 1,000 seats I guess.

Suppose it all depends on whether the 18m includes the hotel etc - which is what we really need to do.

Suppose it all depends on whether the 18m includes the hotel etc - which is what we really need to do.

WTF would anyone want to build a hotel.....we've already got more than enough, the old Wiltshire Hotel, a handy gathering place for a pre match drink a while back closed down recently....not enough trade.

WTF would anyone want to build a hotel.....we've already got more than enough, the old Wiltshire Hotel, a handy gathering place for a pre match drink a while back closed down recently....not enough trade.

The Springers bar, opposite the old cop shop.
Remember it well.

Werent it Shelleys ?

Werent it Shelleys ?

It probably had a few names....I remember it as the Springers bar also, you'd get a better dressed class of Town fan in there pre match, and somehow being opposite the police station, meant you could get a feel for how the afternoon was shaping up.

Some more detail of the Scunny proposal - I would link but its a trade thing which is subscription only:


New ground will hold 12,000

Plans for a new 12,000 seat stadium for Scunthorpe United by the Frank Whittle Partnership have been sent in to local planners.

North Lincolnshire councillors are expected to consider the scheme in April with the League One club hoping work will start soon after if it gets the green light.

The stadium is part of a wider £25 million out-of-town football and leisure development at a site near its present Glanford Park ground.

The plan also includes a 100-bed hotel, a multi-use indoor arena, community sports pitches with the club also looking at indoor and outdoor bowling facilities.

Around £18 million will be spent on the new ground for The Iron, whose past players include former European footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan and England cricketer Ian Botham who played a handful of games for the club in 1980.

A sweeping curve on the main stand enhanced by a steel truss pays homage to Scunthorpe’s steelwork history.

FWP managing partner David Robinson said: “We have worked very hard with the club to create a vibrant and modern development that will be a real asset to the community and the local economy.”

Stratton Bank Roof Project...

The project to evaluate erecting a roof to cover the Stratton Bank has moved another step forwards in the past week. Beard Construction and subcontractors Southern Ground Testing were on site last Wednesday morning with drilling machinery to begin the task of finding out what the Bank is made of. This in turn will determine what groundworks are required to anchor the stanchions for a new stand roof. The Trust Board will then be able to add this sum together with those for the steel provision and erection, and the costs of new toilets, lighting, and public announcement systems. From this the final cost of the new stand roof can be accurately defined, before full consultation with all relevant parties including the club, council, Trust membership and local residents in advance of any planning application.

Looks like a bit more professional job involved rather than the original just chuck a roof on it and it's sorted idea. Wonder why the club have declined to comment though?

Anything that makes the ground better is a plus, although there's been no mention of the bogs or the eating/drinking facilities. I would hope they have been considered to be part of the funding push for an upgrade?

Yes sir sorry sir, will pay attention next time ;)