With the economy fucked, just what could be viable in the present stadium. We've had all sorts of suggestions down the years, and even when the Arkells was built, a betting shop and squash court built into them...both failed.
I think that is the crux, Reg, although I'm not sure the general economic situation is that significant when it comes to the CG - nothing's happened since the DRS was built and the economic climate has fluctuated both ways since then.
As you say, what circumstances would make redevelopment viable? What would be in it for the owner of the club or SBC? What kind of realistic redevelopment would create a return on monies spent and continue to generate revenue beyond match-day use and for some considerable time to come?
Unfortunately, the current political culture is one of development that is perceived to help kick-start the economy in the short term (ie put money in the pockets of developers, usually with regard to housing and building on green belt), rather than development for the benefit of wider society for the long term (culture, health, well-being, education, redeveloping brownfield sites). It also does not help that the current political culture is one of the state (and local government) taking less responsibility for things it really should (in my opinion) take a lead on.
There just does not seem to be the vision or will in this town to come up with radical, forward-thinking schemes, that might seem a bit risky, but for which future generations might actually thank us for. Whenever brownfield sites are developed the results are usually average at best (Churchward apartments - I think there was a missed opportunity here, this could have been Swindon's Cultural / Heritage Quarter with a resited and purpose-built museum and art gallery to sit alongside big hitters like the National Trust and English Heritage, and STEAM). When greenfield sites are developed, the results are usually worse than average (the housing estates north of Thamesdown Drive, eg Oakhurst, are shocking examples of 21st century housing estates). Could, for example, the GW Hospital scheme have had greater vision - building a medical school/university, research labs, key-worker housing, and possibly also a sports city (football stadium, cricket stadium, training pitches, proper athletics track, cycle routes etc etc)?
Successful towns need to invest in long-term schemes, and hopefully ones that have the quality to last and become the heritage of the future (and there is huge, long-term value in heritage). A football club and its stadium can be part of that.
