Etihad Campus, Stadium and Collar Site Development Thread

[fbloke]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Can see a train station coming along in the not too distant future ;)

I've been banging on about this for years. When City moved to the new stadium, they looked at the goods line that runs by the west side of the stadium and the possibility of reopening it for passenger traffic. At the time it wasn't financially viable, but developments since then could change that, I suspect.

there are TWO top quality wet pitches right now close to the Centre Buildings - as far as I can see it will be reduced to just one pitch either in the centre of the stadium or right down far end

I think the Greyhound Stadium will be OK - it is just reverting back to what it was, a Greyhound-exclusive stadium - whether the loss of revenue because of the move away of speedway will kill it or not is the only question

This story is one of many stating that the two hockey pitches will be replaced by a single 3G grass pitch for multi-sport use (football, hockey and others) - <a class="postlink" href="http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-04-10/10m-belle-vue-sports-village-plans-unveiled/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2013-04 ... -unveiled/</a>

In addition, it appears that the grass pitch in the middle of the speedway stadium will now be a school/community rugby league pitch. Original reports suggested that it would be used to host major hockey events, but I can't really see hockey and RL being compatible.

I don't know much about hockey anyway, but a guy who does tells me that grass pitches - even 3G - aren't great for the sport, and they've lost one of their pitches as well so you can see why the hockey community are unhappy. And I'm not thrilled, either: the new stuff at Belle Vue sports village is great, but surely the point is to build on the sports facilities East Manchester currently offers, not lose some as we acquire others? Maybe something can be done for hockey at the Beswick Hub?

On another tack, being abroad now I don't follow stuff like this, but I did speak to someone recently who's been quite good in the past for information about the developments on the Etihad Campus. He suggested that he still thought a professional rugby (union) club will end up playing in East Manc. The only possibility I see for this is if the athletics arena is relocated (as the Council, in the Eastlands Regeneration Framework, has suggested may happen eventually if commercially viable plans are put forward for redeveloping the land to the west of the stadium).

Given that the collar site will be done in phases and we don't even yet know officially what's going on that land, we're presumably talking the 2020s before that can happen. However, I do note that Sale's move to Salford really hasn't worked out and they were reported in the middle of the season just ended to be looking at options for a new home: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/sale-sharks-may-move-again-6650602" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... in-6650602</a>

None of the options suggested seems a good fit for anything other than a temporary base given that they want somewhere in the centre of Greater Manchester. I've always believed that at or adjacent to the Etihad Campus would be a good fit for them, and I believe there are people with much more clout than I have who think the same.

This is obviously speculative on my part. Still, I thought I'd throw it out there given that I heard it mentioned again recently.

As you know Abu Dhabi and Rugby Union have a long history.

 

[dawlish dave]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Can anyone point me towards a map of the collar site? Got a feeling it's larger than the picture I have in my head!

The collar site is the area to the right of the stadium in this image.

There is a wider area to the north and east that City already own and other parcels of land that will fall under the control of the MCFC/MCC JV (joint venture)

Can see a train station coming along in the not too distant future ;)

500 mts south of Ashton New Rd there was a junction that split the line, one led to Ashburys and remains open, the other line went to the north of Ardwick stn, the viaducts are intact and would not cost a fortune to renew this would allow a shuttle service to operate Picc to Vic.
If the Etihad grows to 60000 plus a station next to the stadium would be a great addition for the area.
I was a fireman at Longsight and Gorton and worked on those lines the branch to Picc closed in the late 1960s.

 

[mostonbluemark]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

<a class="postlink" href="http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=N3GK6JBC05D00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-appl ... K6JBC05D00</a>

Just noticed this posted on the MCC Planning website. Extended construction hours for South Stand extension. Hopefully just a precaution and not a response to any perceived delays.

 

[danebanksheik]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Here is the satellite of those lines
[bigimg]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/86521090/480/city%20train.jpg[/bigimg]
The line from Piccadilly to the ground is defo broken and tracks removed, I have been past on the Ashburys line and the connection is gone as is the bridge over the A635
Not sure train from ground to Piccadilly is a big miss with the tram in place but trains / specials direct to the ground from the West via Oxford Rd could be linked direct to the ground but looks excessive work when tram already in place.
From the East trains that hit Ashburys could easily go up the line to Victoria but Stockport trains wouldnt be able to do it, even if the Piccadilly link was open they would have to go into Piccadilly and out again
Would seem a bit excessive to repair the Piccadilly link

 

[jaiden]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

had the privilege of a tour round the CFA today . particularly impressed with the mini stadium. can't wait to do a proper tour round it when its all done!

 

[CityTony]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Just had a access all areas tour of the training complex this morning. I have to say I was totally blown away with the place everything about it was top draw. Every little detail and all mod cons, this is going to be amazing. One side of it is almost complete and will be handed over in September with the rest due to finish in November, they are a little bit behind in some areas. The main(e) stadium is breathtaking and It looks like a Championship stadium. The players hotel with all the facillites looks fantastic. Every player at every level at City are going to be treated like a true professional and this can only be a good thing in the long run. You get the feeling walking around the place that we are going to be one of the biggest clubs in the world in the not too distant future, everything about it is sheer class.
I hope to go again in a few months when some of the finishing touches are done. What an amazing day!

 

[DiscoSteve]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

500 mts south of Ashton New Rd there was a junction that split the line, one led to Ashburys and remains open, the other line went to the north of Ardwick stn, the viaducts are intact and would not cost a fortune to renew this would allow a shuttle service to operate Picc to Vic.
If the Etihad grows to 60000 plus a station next to the stadium would be a great addition for the area.
I was a fireman at Longsight and Gorton and worked on those lines the branch to Picc closed in the late 1960s.

HS2 ploughs through that (Blind Lane) Viaduct so its a non-starter

And there is loads of embankment missing as it crosses Ashton Old Road up towards the now gone Midland Junction

And finally Picc-Vic shuttle will be provided via the new Ordsall Curve to be built up near the old Granada Studios Tour

 

[Manchester1894]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Have the tours of the new academy started? ;o)

Spill the beans lads? How have you had the tour? Please tell me JRB has had an invite??

 

[Centurions]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Have the tours of the new academy started? ;o)

Spill the beans lads? How have you had the tour? Please tell me JRB has had an invite??

JRB was the tour guide.

 

[Centurions]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Just had a access all areas tour of the training complex this morning. I have to say I was totally blown away with the place everything about it was top draw. Every little detail and all mod cons, this is going to be amazing. One side of it is almost complete and will be handed over in September with the rest due to finish in November, they are a little bit behind in some areas. The main(e) stadium is breathtaking and It looks like a Championship stadium. The players hotel with all the facillites looks fantastic. Every player at every level at City are going to be treated like a true professional and this can only be a good thing in the long run. You get the feeling walking around the place that we are going to be one of the biggest clubs in the world in the not too distant future, everything about it is sheer class.
I hope to go again in a few months when some of the finishing touches are done. What an amazing day!

we are going to be one of the biggest clubs in the world in the not too distant future

What do you mean 'going to be'? Rag, ban him mods. ;)

 

[bluemoston]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Regarding Asda site
http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=KFKPH8BC06N00

change of use for unit 2 wherever that is, to a taekwondo facility, up to 4 year lease.

 

[Marvin]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Just had a access all areas tour of the training complex this morning. I have to say I was totally blown away with the place everything about it was top draw. Every little detail and all mod cons, this is going to be amazing. One side of it is almost complete and will be handed over in September with the rest due to finish in November, they are a little bit behind in some areas. The main(e) stadium is breathtaking and It looks like a Championship stadium. The players hotel with all the facillites looks fantastic. Every player at every level at City are going to be treated like a true professional and this can only be a good thing in the long run. You get the feeling walking around the place that we are going to be one of the biggest clubs in the world in the not too distant future, everything about it is sheer class.
I hope to go again in a few months when some of the finishing touches are done. What an amazing day!

Sounds great

I am not sure what effect the facilities will have on the players, but over time it should give us a competitive advantage in

1) attracting good young players, and 2) improving the players

And I like the idea of all the players playing and training together in close proximity to the ground.

 

[petrusha]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

ADUG's investment in east Manchester is mentioned in an interview today with Sir Howard Bernstein in the Telegraph business section. Text below, or link here for those who prefer: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/china-business/10878669/Manchester-looks-to-China-for-economic-revival-in-the-North.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/chin ... North.html</a>

Doesn't say much that's relevant to this thread, but I thought it worth posting anyway.

Manchester looks to China for economic revival in the North

Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, says the high cost of investing in London is bringing more business to the North

By Andrew Critchlow, Business News Editor
8:00PM BST 07 Jun 2014

Sir Howard Bernstein, the man responsible for reviving the economic fortunes of Manchester, says he has met with more foreign investors this year than at any other time since he took over as the chief executive of the city’s council.

The high cost of doing business in London and accessing business opportunities in the capital has, according to Sir Howard, brought more businesses to the self-appointed capital of the North over the last year.

Hit hard during the financial crisis and by AstraZeneca relocating its research headquarters from Alderley Park to Cambridge, a decision Sir Howard describes as a “blow”, Manchester has pegged its strategy on attracting more capital from overseas.

“Most international investors over decades within the context of the UK have only seen London as a home for investment,” Sir Howard told The Sunday Telegraph. “I think that is changing for two reasons. One is they are now being crowded out of London because not everyone can gain access to the investment proposition there at a price they want to pay so there is an incentive for international investors to look outside London, probably for the first time in many years.”

“Secondly, what is putting Manchester on the radar screen, is that here is a place that has got its act together. We’re probably one of the few cities in the UK outside London which is now regularly attracting international investors.”

Manchester has so far beaten local rival Liverpool to the punch in terms of attracting significant foreign investment. Liverpool, which has twinned itself with Shanghai, has aggressively pitched to Chinese investors and is proposing to build the country’s highest skyscraper outside London, named “Shanghai Tower”.

The multi-million pound investment by Abu Dhabi into developing the area of East Manchester around Manchester City Stadium and the participation of Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) in the £800m development of the Airport City Manchester project are two examples of recent major successes that Sir Howard hopes will help to bring in more investors.

“Abu Dhabi investing around the football club as well as Chinese investors in the airport is demonstrating to the international community that Manchester is a place investors like sovereign wealth funds see as a logical place to deploy capital,” said Sir Howard.

BCEG, which is backed by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, is one of the first major Chinese developers to invest outside the capital, where demand for commercial real estate has remained strong despite a slowdown in the rest of the country. A delegation from Airport City will this week begin a roadshow tour of China to drum up more investment.

Meeting with potential investors in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, the delegation will also present a new service to ease the process of Chinese businesses establishing a foothold in the UK. This will include a “concierge” service designed to help potential investors secure visas and register a company in addition to advice on accommodation for employees and the best local schools.

As commercial and residential real estate prices in London have surged, David Cameron has come under increasing pressure to do more to promote economic growth in the regions, especially the North. Manchester — like many northern cities built up during Britain’s industrial revolution — has struggled historically to reposition its local economy in the shadow of London’s success.

“The Government gets the requirement to rebalance the economy but I’m not always sure this overarching policy requirement is fairly and accurately reflected in all its mainstream growth and reform policies. I think it’s an issue that doesn’t just apply to this government; it applies to successive governments over the last 20 years,” said Sir Howard.

“Sometimes we don’t realise that the needs and priorities of a place like Manchester are not the same needs and priorities as a place like London. The issue around housing, for example, in a place like Manchester is not the same as in London. Our requirement is to reclaim brownfield sites and service them for development and bring more family housing on stream. The priority in London is about how you secure more affordable or social housing for key workers.”

Although initiatives such as the relocation of some BBC staff to Manchester’s Media City development and the creation of local growth funds have helped, according to Sir Howard much more needs to be done to rebalance Britain’s economy between the prosperous South East and the North.

“We need a more responsive set of policies for growth and reform that fill the needs and circumstances of different parts of the country. A 'one size fits all’ approach to urban development doesn’t work.”

The city paid a heavy price for successive governments’ failure to address the long-term decline of British manufacturing. Between 1970 and 1985, Manchester’s eastern factory area lost 60pc of its economic and employment base. However, the redevelopment of the city centre following the 1996 terrorist bomb attack and the recent focus on attracting foreign investment helped it to endure the financial crisis.

“Its fair to say we weathered the storm better than most, largely because of the way our economic base had widened and diversified over the past several years,” said Sir Howard. “Whereas traditional demand for occupation of commercial floor space reduced we were still seeing significant interest in science and technology-based activities and that for us was always a big plus for the city.

“What we have seen since the turn of the year is increasing levels of confidence amongst business, amongst commercial occupiers. There is still a long way to go. Whether this increases levels of liquidity and confidence in the market, only time will tell. But there are certainly lots of signs of new investment and confidence which is starting to filter through.”

Manchester also lies at the centre of one of the potentially richest regions in the UK for shale gas development. The process of extracting gas through a process of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale rocks has been controversial due to environmental concerns but its potential to revitalise former industrial heartlands such as Manchester with cheap energy is compelling, especially when compared with the experience in the US.

Although he is in favour of fracking, Sir Howard believes people should be cautious about the potential benefits to the economy. “I think we’re all dipping our toe in the water on that one. Obviously, the opportunities will be greater in different parts of the North West and we have to look responsibly at how we can exploit these opportunities when they become available,” he said.

“We shouldn’t be increasing expectations that this is a panacea for transforming the economic fortunes of the entire North West.”

 

[Centurions]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Regarding Asda site
http://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=KFKPH8BC06N00

change of use for unit 2 wherever that is, to a taekwondo facility, up to 4 year lease.

That's dated 23 Feb 2009. Is there a Taekwondo facility around there somewhere?

 

[petrusha]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Regarding Asda site

change of use for unit 2 wherever that is, to a taekwondo facility, up to 4 year lease.

That's dated 23 Feb 2009. Is there a Taekwondo facility around there somewhere?

I don't know about this. However, the Eastlands Community Plan which was published in draft around 3 years ago is still, as far as I know, the document they're working to with regard to non-MCFC sports provision in East Manchester. This can be accessed online here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.east-manchester.com/MediaLibrary/Files/Documents%20and%20reports/Eastlands%20Community%20Plan%20-%20Aug.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.east-manchester.com/MediaLib ... %20Aug.pdf</a>

Below is something from page 12 of the document about taekwondo:

GB Taekwondo has expressed a strong interest in establishing a National Centre for Taekwondo to support performance objectives and community participation. The organisation identified Manchester in its Whole Sport Plan and has ring-fenced resources to support the development of a dedicated centre.

Maybe they got somewhere temporary while the above is sorted out?

EDIT - FWIW, the GB Taekwondo Academy is currently at the Ten Acres Lane Leisure Centre in Newton Heath: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.gbtaekwondo.co.uk/GB-Taekwondo-Academy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.gbtaekwondo.co.uk/GB-Taekwondo-Academy.html</a>

No idea whether this is a permanent arrangement.

 

[gtcity]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Regarding Asda site

change of use for unit 2 wherever that is, to a taekwondo facility, up to 4 year lease.

That's dated 23 Feb 2009. Is there a Taekwondo facility around there somewhere?

I don't know about this. However, the Eastlands Community Plan which was published in draft around 3 years ago is still, as far as I know, the document they're working to with regard to non-MCFC sports provision in East Manchester. This can be accessed online here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.east-manchester.com/MediaLibrary/Files/Documents%20and%20reports/Eastlands%20Community%20Plan%20-%20Aug.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.east-manchester.com/MediaLib ... %20Aug.pdf</a>

Below is something from page 12 of the document about taekwondo:

GB Taekwondo has expressed a strong interest in establishing a National Centre for Taekwondo to support performance objectives and community participation. The organisation identified Manchester in its Whole Sport Plan and has ring-fenced resources to support the development of a dedicated centre.

Maybe they got somewhere temporary while the above is sorted out?

EDIT - FWIW, the GB Taekwondo Academy is currently at the Ten Acres Lane Leisure Centre in Newton Heath: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.gbtaekwondo.co.uk/GB-Taekwondo-Academy.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.gbtaekwondo.co.uk/GB-Taekwondo-Academy.html</a>

No idea whether this is a permanent arrangement.

The taekwondo unit is in between Asda and Next and you can see people in births taekwondo track suits walking around the area going to the building

 

[petrusha]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

The taekwondo unit is in between Asda and Next and you can see people in births taekwondo track suits walking around the area going to the building

Thanks. Presumably, then, if they applied over 5 years ago for permission for a lease up to 4 years and they're still around, there's been an extension somewhere down the line.

 

[wolfie1988]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

GB Taekwondo have taken over the building near where the B of the Bang was. More or less on the corner of Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Rd behind the away fans coach park.

Think it used to house info offices for Commonwealth Games, East Manchester Development and before the Taekwondo it was a drop in centre for the building of the academy.

Its a temporary building and I'm not sure how big it is inside but its definitely something to do with GB Taekwondo

 

[Neville Kneville]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

GB Taekwondo have taken over the building near where the B of the Bang was. More or less on the corner of Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Rd behind the away fans coach park.

Think it used to house info offices for Commonwealth Games, East Manchester Development and before the Taekwondo it was a drop in centre for the building of the academy.

Its a temporary building and I'm not sure how big it is inside but its definitely something to do with GB Taekwondo

Yes, it's on the stadium side of the road, closer to the ground, not the Asda/Campus side.

 

[jrb]

Re: Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site (cont

Here.

I know it doesn't matter any more, but I wonder how City, the Council, and the Architects, would have incorporated B of The Bang and the new Footbridge?

As you can see, B of The Bang would have been right in the way of the new footbridge.

The B of The Bang seemed to split opinion.

You either liked it or disliked it. Many people thought it was a waste of money. Personally I liked it. I thought it was relevant and an interesting piece of public sculpture, which celebrated the success of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. I also thought it was a landmark piece sculpture, and could have become iconic given time.

Small article and some interesting pictures of B of The Bang being dismantled .

B of the Bang Manchester – Dismantling Sculpture

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.connellbrothers.co.uk/portfolio/b-of-the-bang-manchester/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.connellbrothers.co.uk/portfo ... anchester/</a>

PS. Thanks for the written updates from inside the training academy. I'd say it's pretty impossible to take any pictures via the tour/s, unless it's done on the QT. TBF that would be madness and would backfire if those pictures were posted. I can imagine City and BAM are running a very tight ship inside the training academy as regards pictures, videos, etc.