North Stand Construction Discussion

[MrCheeseGrater]

There's a hell of a lot of lads I know that will not move from SS Level 1 as they want to be next to the away fans so I'm not entirely sure it will end up the vocal 'home end' that a lot are wishing for, I hope I'm wrong, I moved from there 3 years ago as I wanted a better view to be fair, couldn't see anything down near the front as I'm a short arse.

I think it would be pretty difficult to convince those in blocks 115, 114 and the Kippax corner to move as the main draw in those sections is the proximity to the away end and the atmosphere that creates.

However I think there must be plenty of people in the rest of the safe standing section (blocks 116 - 119) who would be easier to convince. As well as other vocal people from around the ground, especially SSL3.

I don't think that the biggest attraction of those blocks is being close to the away end as they are not particularly close. The main attraction of those blocks are the atmosphere, the safe standing, and the bar area, all of which could be recreated better in a new NSL2, but on an even bigger scale and far better accoustics to spread house around the ground.

Of course the one thing that could not be recreated on NSL2 is the proximity to the pitch that you get in SSL1, and this would no doubt hold some people back from relocating. I think this could be countered by other benefits (that would have to be heavily promoted) to being in NSL2 like better facilities, better overall atmosphere and options for cheaper or same season ticket prices.

 

[cpoverview]

In case it gets missed among all the other chat on tickets etc, if any of the drone flyers read this thread would be good to get a zoom on that item next visit. Or anyone using the two east spirals that can see from them.

Almost impossible to tell that far out but it is the right size for the mock-up panel, is in a sensible place and has a supporting frame, if they decide not to put it up on the main structure. Those silvery bits might be segments of the sails, if it is that.

View attachment 115586

I have been today but didn't read this beforehand, i will take a look when i next go in a few days time

 

[Corky]

I think it would be pretty difficult to convince those in blocks 115, 114 and the Kippax corner to move as the main draw in those sections is the proximity to the away end and the atmosphere that creates.

However I think there must be plenty of people in the rest of the safe standing section (blocks 116 - 119) who would be easier to convince. As well as other vocal people from around the ground, especially SSL3.

I don't think that the biggest attraction of those blocks is being close to the away end as they are not particularly close. The main attraction of those blocks are the atmosphere, the safe standing, and the bar area, all of which could be recreated better in a new NSL2, but on an even bigger scale and far better accoustics to spread house around the ground.

Of course the one thing that could not be recreated on NSL2 is the proximity to the pitch that you get in SSL1, and this would no doubt hold some people back from relocating. I think this could be countered by other benefits (that would have to be heavily promoted) to being in NSL2 like better facilities, better overall atmosphere and options for cheaper or same season ticket prices.

Most of NL2 will be too far from the pitch, NS1 would be okay but the corners have been moved E&W stands price wise so are a rip off, and NS1 probably stays family.

 

[cpoverview]

Todays flyover

 

[Dannyblue52]

@Alex - City Matters - it would be really useful if you could get any information from the club on their proposed strategy for ticketing in the NS once completed.

In my opinion the club should be treating the whole of the NS as a blank canvas, but appreciate many in NSL1 may not be happy with that idea.

I'd market the NSL2 as the priority area with cheaper tickets to incentivise the singers to move in and would try and get 1894 to help coordinate. We're looking at circa 8,000 new seats so if we can get a similar number moving into the stand thanks to attractive pricing, then that provides more than enough room elsewhere in the stadium for groups of families to sit together.

They should also be incentivised for having to move, with fair priced tickets and not be looking at paying more.

Anything remaining can then be offered as new season tickets or matchday tickets.

This all comes down to pricing. As a fanbase we want a good atmosphere but I find as a fanbase we will allow a lot of things to get in the way of that. A lot want to stay near the away fans. But cheaper tickets will get a lot willing to move, and this is going to take a joint effort between fans and the club to be a success. The South Stand L3 was £299 season tickets when it opened so they did look to incentivise people to move there, there's no reason they can't do it with the North Stand and finally deliver a proper home end under the roof. But fans are going to have to get on board too.

You are right I am in level 1 in the family stand with my son and grandson and have been there since it opened. I would be very annoyed if forced to move. It is unnecessary to move anyone in that section and they should be given the opportunity to stay there. It would be accepted that they would be in a home end and everything that goes with it. There will be enough space available in the seats above to accommodate fans wanting to be in one end. There are many in the family stand that sing their hearts out and we have become friends with lots of people around us watching our kids grow up together. It gets full of tourists at night matches so their is further opportunity for regulars to move seats at those games if they wish. Moving the whole of Level 1 url other areas would add to the huge problem of moving thousands of fans around the ground. I agree that the seats above should be cheap to encourage fans to move there.
I started going got Maine Rd in 1966 and am another F.O.C. That deserves some consideration but also know money talks!

 

[jrb]

You are right I am in level 1 in the family stand with my son and grandson and have been there since it opened. I would be very annoyed if forced to move. It is unnecessary to move anyone in that section and they should be given the opportunity to stay there. It would be accepted that they would be in a home end and everything that goes with it. There will be enough space available in the seats above to accommodate fans wanting to be in one end. There are many in the family stand that sing their hearts out and we have become friends with lots of people around us watching our kids grow up together. It gets full of tourists at night matches so their is further opportunity for regulars to move seats at those games if they wish. Moving the whole of Level 1 url other areas would add to the huge problem of moving thousands of fans around the ground. I agree that the seats above should be cheap to encourage fans to move there.
I started going got Maine Rd in 1966 and am another F.O.C. That deserves some consideration but also know money talks!

What would you do if NSL1 was made safe standing which is a future option in the PA?

I think the club will make NSL1 safe standing in the future, so both ends behind the goal are safe standing and vocal.

Of course I’m only guessing, but I can’t see the club making NSL2 safe standing.

 

[HelloCity]

What would you do if NSL1 was made safe standing which is a future option in the PA?

I think the club will make NSL1 safe standing in the future, so both ends behind the goal are safe standing and vocal.

Of course I’m only guessing, but I can’t see the club making NSL2 safe standing.

Doesn’t this defeat the entire purpose of an expanded 2nd tier? We’re going to have this massive kop-like structure and it’s just going to be ‘another’ area. They might as well have copied the South Stand. It’s something they could even have done without the expansion.

 

[MrCheeseGrater]

Doesn’t this defeat the entire purpose of an expanded 2nd tier? We’re going to have this massive kop-like structure and it’s just going to be ‘another’ area. They might as well have copied the South Stand. It’s something they could even have done without the expansion.

Spot on. Would have the exact same situation we have now but even worse, and with a few thousand disgruntled family standers to relocate. For me, it's safe standing on NSL2 or nothing.

 

[LEXSTARproject]

Got some close up shots of the North Stand

 

[LEXSTARproject]

Canal side taking shape

 

[HelloCity]

View attachment 115628
Canal side taking shape

wrong thread?

 

[jrb]

Doesn’t this defeat the entire purpose of an expanded 2nd tier? We’re going to have this massive kop-like structure and it’s just going to be ‘another’ area. They might as well have copied the South Stand. It’s something they could even have done without the expansion.

It does, you’re right.

In my opinion the club have 2 options with safe standing on NSL2.

The club either make NSL2 completely safe standing, which I can’t see happening with the proposed GA+ seats, ambulant seating, and fans of different ages wanting to sit on NSL2, which the club will definitely take into consideration, or the club will make specific blocks or areas of NSL2 safe standing, along with seated areas.

The Kop as an example is a single tiered stand with a gradual increase in height from the front to the back, whereas NSL2 will be higher and steeper, mirroring SSL3 to an extent. So far the club have given no indication they will put safe standing on SSL3 in the home end, even though they’ve already done that for a section of the away end on SSL3.(I stand corrected on that)

Hopefully Alex will get an answer to the safe standing question on NSL2 from the club at the meeting?

 

[LevyBee76]

Really boring bit of info but the white cabins that BAM have been using for Co-op construction will eventually be handed over and become the site offices for the North Stand expansion and hotel...

 

[Coatigan]

Really boring bit of info but the white cabins that BAM have been using for Co-op construction will eventually be handed over and become the site offices for the North Stand expansion and hotel...

They expect to go from about 100-120 labourers on site they have just now, to about 700 within a year. That would make sense.

 

[Coatigan]

I'm going to go ahead and make a guess that they will start the transfer of the frontstay cables on the 6th of May, and aim to finish it for the 17th of May. Between our two home games vs wolves and west ham, and ready for roof propping the monday after the final game. And then the removal of the roof and backstays straight into the off-season. That gives them a week and a half to finish phase 1 of the steel towers and get it all ready, the western one is not far off at all.

 

[MikeF]

In case it gets missed among all the other chat on tickets etc, if any of the drone flyers read this thread would be good to get a zoom on that item next visit. Or anyone using the two east spirals that can see from them.

Almost impossible to tell that far out but it is the right size for the mock-up panel, is in a sensible place and has a supporting frame, if they decide not to put it up on the main structure. Those silvery bits might be segments of the sails, if it is that.

View attachment 115586

Jesus, you need to work for MI5 or some intelligency agency if you can work out anything from that!!

 

[HelloCity]

I'm going to go ahead and make a guess that they will start the transfer of the frontstay cables on the 6th of May, and aim to finish it for the 17th of May. Between our two home games vs wolves and west ham, and ready for roof propping the monday after the final game. And then the removal of the roof and backstays straight into the off-season. That gives them a week and a half to finish phase 1 of the steel towers and get it all ready, the western one is not far off at all.

I feel nervous about it. The original supports look strong and sturdy so it’s hard to imagine these towers supporting the current roof instead.

 

[supercity88]

You are right I am in level 1 in the family stand with my son and grandson and have been there since it opened. I would be very annoyed if forced to move. It is unnecessary to move anyone in that section and they should be given the opportunity to stay there. It would be accepted that they would be in a home end and everything that goes with it. There will be enough space available in the seats above to accommodate fans wanting to be in one end. There are many in the family stand that sing their hearts out and we have become friends with lots of people around us watching our kids grow up together. It gets full of tourists at night matches so their is further opportunity for regulars to move seats at those games if they wish. Moving the whole of Level 1 url other areas would add to the huge problem of moving thousands of fans around the ground. I agree that the seats above should be cheap to encourage fans to move there.
I started going got Maine Rd in 1966 and am another F.O.C. That deserves some consideration but also know money talks!

You wont be alone with that view on things which is why I'm treading carefully with what I say, because everyone will have their opinions on this new home end and how it should work.

We need a good group of singers in there, but even if that's an away size following of circa 3000 then I'd expect the majority of other people to join in and you'll have a good number joining in with songs and getting them to travel around the ground. The issue we have at the moment is our singers are split between SSL1 and SSL3 and can't hear each other.

The NS will address that problem if we get a collective together and with the design should easily see it become the end that generates an atmosphere.

But the club have to figure out how to do it.

 

[Centurions]

It does, you’re right.

In my opinion the club have 2 options with safe standing on NSL2.

The club either make NSL2 completely safe standing, which I can’t see happening with the proposed GA+ seats, ambulant seating, and fans of different ages wanting to sit on NSL2, which the club will definitely take into consideration, or the club will make specific blocks or areas of NSL2 safe standing, along with seated areas.

The Kop as an example is a single tiered stand with a gradual increase in height from the front to the back, whereas NSL2 will be higher and steeper, mirroring SSL3 to an extent. So far the club have given no indication they will put safe standing on SSL3 in the home end, even though they’ve already done that for a section of the away end on SSL3.(I stand corrected on that)

Hopefully Alex will get an answer to the safe standing question on NSL2 from the club at the meeting?

There's no reason that the GA+ seats can't be safe standing and even the ambulant ones as there's a wide range of capabilities included in the ambulant description. If it's safe standing from the start then they'll be aware of it.

As for fans of different ages wanting to be in there then it's no different to every other block in the ground. If it's launched as safe standing from the start then just don't take a seat there if you can't stand.

Of course there's no reason that they can't make it safe standing from the back of the ambulant rows all the way up rather than every seat in the stand. Obviously, you can't have standing in front of non standing seats without missing out rows.

 

[Coatigan]

I feel nervous about it. The original supports look strong and sturdy so it’s hard to imagine these towers supporting the current roof instead.

Haha glad it's not just me. The moment on the pinch point of the offset must be immense. I know they are cantilevering it and bracing diagonally, but it will still look far more comfortable once the rear section of the towers comes to ground.

But they obviously can't do that till the back cables are off, and they can't touch those till the front cables are braced. Isn't it fucking exciting!