North Stand Construction Discussion

[supercity88]

We're talking about 5 rows across the central 4 blocks for GA+. There's nothing in the application about whether they're padded seats or normal, it just refers to a Joe's style hospitality bar with raised bar style seating. Then you have the suites at the top and further hospitality. The design is focussed on atmosphere generally. It's got walling at the back and sides to retain sound and filter it towards the pitch. It's got roof level infrastructure to support huge tifo's to hang down and cover the stand on match days. That will hide the prawn sandwich brigade until bang on kickoff when they can take their seats!

I think, considering the scale of it, whilst it would be better to be purely general admission that small area will not make a difference amongst a wall of 9,000 blues making a racket under a roof with the acoustic engineering to retain sound. We're talking a hell of a lot more people in the ground so noise will naturally increase. There will still be bad games and flat games depending on the opposition and stakes. But in overall terms this is pretty good considering it's an extension and not a new purpose built stadium.

 

[jrb]

Genuine question, what's the fucking difference? As proposed.

Physically, rather than your philosophical view of demographics by price.

There’s no need to swear. We are supposed to having an adult and sensible discussion about the North stand expansion. Get back to me when you can do that sensibly and I will try and answer your question.

 

[jrb]

Is there supposed to be a second picture there bud for the before and after bit? Otherwise you've lost me?

No. I always envisaged the front of NSL2 was where the singers were going to go, 1, 2 or 3 blocks, so they had maximum impact on the atmosphere and also visually. I appreciate it was just me thinking that and maybe a few others? Gullible! :-( I honestly didn’t envisage 700 hospitality seats would be plonked right at the front of NSL2 before the plans were made public by the club. I just used that picture as an example. Not for one moment did I think NSL2 would end up ‘exactly like’ AC Milan’s Curva South.

All in want is for the expanded NS and NSL2 to work. To be a proper home end that is full of singers who create a good atmosphere, and who support Pep, if he’s still the manager by then, and the team. That’s what the vast majority of City fans want, not just me and other forum members on here.

 

[bluesmith]

View attachment 103559

We're talking about 5 rows across the central 4 blocks for GA+. There's nothing in the application about whether they're padded seats or normal, it just refers to a Joe's style hospitality bar with raised bar style seating. Then you have the suites at the top and further hospitality. The design is focussed on atmosphere generally. It's got walling at the back and sides to retain sound and filter it towards the pitch. It's got roof level infrastructure to support huge tifo's to hang down and cover the stand on match days. That will hide the prawn sandwich brigade until bang on kickoff when they can take their seats!

I think, considering the scale of it, whilst it would be better to be purely general admission that small area will not make a difference amongst a wall of 9,000 blues making a racket under a roof with the acoustic engineering to retain sound. We're talking a hell of a lot more people in the ground so noise will naturally increase. There will still be bad games and flat games depending on the opposition and stakes. But in overall terms this is pretty good considering it's an extension and not a new purpose built stadium.

Personally think a good compromise would be to split that area in half and push out to each side.

 

[Coatigan]

They are padded, not plastic like the rest of the stand.

Same spacing, density and number, the only difference is the padding?

And that has you worried.

 

[Coatigan]

Seriously? With all due respect your post shows a serious lack of understanding of how Design and build works.

We are placing an order for the whole works not piecemeal.

The club have 100% said that's what is currently happening as they have designed it in to the build. If it wasn't currently 100% happening it would have been shown as in abeyance. It won't make a massive difference to the cost but it has to be included in the contractors price if that's what the spec and drawing show.

Not that it matters, but that isn't true either. There is always scope to vary the contract, the price, and the build. Right through the process. It is not a now or never, and won't ever really be. I don't see what claiming otherwise does to your point at all.

 

[bluesmith]

Same spacing, density and number, the only difference is the padding?

And that has you worried.

It doesnt have me worried i just think it will dilute the atmosphere.

 

[jrb]

I took some random pictures of the crowd and the ground yesterday from where I was sat in ESL3 without thinking about the hospitality areas. It will be interesting to see how full the hospitality areas were yesterday. I’ll post the pictures later on.

 

[Coatigan]

Just for those suggesting "nothing is finalised" - don't be so sure. There's a lot in the DAS and City aren't going to suddenly change the brief in my opinion. We don't know whether these will be true hospitality sections or a basic GA+ but the wording in the approved application is:

The hospitality area will be a 600 spectator hospitality space in the style of the existing 'Joes' space elsewhere within the Etihad Stadium. Spectators will be served via two bars which will be equipped to serve food and beverages. Seating at high tables / bar for 416 with standing at drink shelving for 184.

If they follow the "Joe's bar" experience then you'd expect padded seats. But they might make it informal acknowledging it's a prominent part of the stand.

Projects get built different to what has been approved at planning all the time. All the time. And they change after being built too.

It really is not an arguement one way or the other, they may go woth exactly what people think, they might not. It is kinda moot.

 

[bluesmith]

Not that it matters, but that isn't true either. There is always scope to vary the contract, the price, and the build. Right through the process. It is not a now or never, and won't ever really be. I don't see what claiming otherwise does to your point at all.

I havent at any point said you cant vary the contract, in fact in one post I've specifically said they can do that. My post you have responded to is specifically regarding the initial contract.
Varying works pays my bills, i know exactly how it works.

If the club want to change this when in contract to safe standing or all padded seats or all plastic seats they will issue a request for quotation where they will issue new drawings showing the intended change. The contractor will then price that change and will only action that change if the club instruct it.