tolmie's hairdoo
Well-Known Member
Not claiming to be in the know with the NS expansion, but I do think we are delaying it until more is heard about safe-standing, and maybe to see how Spurs new stadium performs economically.
I hear a lot these days about firms wanting to "future-proof", which basically means they don't want to spend millions on something that could be out-of-date, or not fit for purpose, in 5/10 years time. The North Stand is probably our last opportunity to do something different with the stadium that would allow it to be reconfigured, create a home-end, maybe have a micro-brewery or whatever if it proves a success at Spurs.
If we just threw up another carbon copy of the South Stand, which looks like was the original plan, we'd lose this opportunity. I do think we will eventually carry out some work on the East and Bell Stands, but only to "fill in the corners" and possibly to have a new facade that creates a bit more internal space.
So although like everyone else I'm impatient for the NS to be done, it will get done and hopefully will be worth the wait. It wouldn't surprise me if it would incorporate safe-standing, a new larger store, museum, "pub" etc. It's our last chance to do something really iconic with the stadium, which is why I think we're taking our time with it.
I don't think it is this mate.
The money from our owner is not as fast or loose as it once was. The feeling is City are now at the stage where they don't need to throw £200m plus a year at us.
I know the money invested in NYCFC has been reduced to a trickle.
There is also the wider geo-political landscape, there is no way the urgency is required for an expansion if the Emirates is trying to think two steps ahead, worst-case scenario.
We could easily have used our own money for the concert arena, but instead our owner sold a stake in City for £600m. It's all about the returns these days.
I wouldn't be surprised if there would be a new stadium built before a North Stand extension.