Spurs’ new stadium

[SWP's back]

I can only guess that, by the time that the fixtures were finally decided, it's likely that Spurs / Mace were confident that the stadium would be ready by September 15th.

So they fucked up then, again.

 

[JimB]

In 1998, 20 years ago, the Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem built a ground that had a retractable pitch, it too went under the stand when not in use so it is hardly ground breaking technology. The simple fact is the time frame for the project was too tight for the miser that is a chairman. To be honest I am not arsed and I am sure most Blues will agree with me, what pisses us off is that we will be forced into something that is too our detriment. The obvious solution is to decide now, which stadium in London the match will be played in on that chosen Sunday. The fact that this hasn't yet happened is down to a penny pinching tight arse.

The Gelredome is different in one key respect: the pitch slides under the stand and continues outside the stadium, where it resides. It is the same for all other sliding pitches that have hitherto been built.

Where the new WHL differs is that, being in a built up urban area, there wasn't the space to house the pitch outside the stadium. The only option was for the pitch to remain under the stand and podium when retracted. And that meant that unlike all other stadia with sliding pitches, it wouldn't have been possible for the pitch to retract in one piece. Those other stadia have support columns that can temporarily be lifted while the pitch is sliding under the stand, allowing the pitch to remain whole. That option wasn't feasible at new WHL because, with the pitch remaining under the stand, lifted support columns would have had to remain lifted. And that simply wouldn't have been safe - especially not with 17.5K fans adding to the weight of the south stand.

The result of which is that the support columns under the south stand are fixed and the pitch, in addition to sliding from end to end, is split into three sections that slide far enough sideways to allow for the columns. All of which makes it mechanically far more complicated than a normal sliding pitch.

 

[Blue Mist]

The Gelredome is different in one key respect: the pitch slides under the stand and continues outside the stadium, where it resides. It is the same for all other sliding pitches that have hitherto been built.

Where the new WHL differs is that, being in a built up urban area, there wasn't the space to house the pitch outside the stadium. The only option was for the pitch to remain under the stand and podium when retracted. And that meant that unlike all other stadia with sliding pitches, it wouldn't have been possible for the pitch to retract in one piece. Those other stadia have support columns that can temporarily be lifted while the pitch is sliding under the stand, allowing the pitch to remain whole. That option wasn't feasible at new WHL because, with the pitch remaining under the stand, lifted support columns would have had to remain lifted. And that simply wouldn't have been safe - especially not with 17.5K fans adding to the weight of the south stand.

The result of which is that the support columns under the south stand are fixed and the pitch, in addition to sliding from end to end, is split into three sections that slide far enough sideways to allow for the columns. All of which makes it mechanically far more complicated than a n normal sliding pitch.

Cheers for enlightening me, split 3 ways ! bloody hell.

 

[BlueAnorak]

From someone who does actually know what he is talking about:

https://www.building.co.uk/news/mace-says-faulty-wiring-behind-spurs-stadium-delay/5095219.article

Holy shit, you mean my statements about the fire safety system wiring were correct?
And the fit out contracts are held with Spurs - not Mace?
You know damned well that this is a sanitized PR event.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

One of our reps is suppling fixings to the job and they estimated on site yesterday that it was going to be around 4 months until it’s fully ready!

TBH I wouldn't trust anyone's estimate, who has a cash incentive. Looks like that's what caused all this in the first place.
The original price and the total price look worlds apart.

 

[JimB]

That's interesting to know, how does that work then, because grass needs sun/day light ? and why the need for 2 pitches ?

I was surprised to see the pitch incomplete earlier in this thread, with construction vehicles at one end, because I'd seen pictures of a full pitch previously, so I just made the assumption that they were just photoshopped to show a pitch, even though the stadium wasn't yet complete, but it makes sense now, that they can move areas of the pitch to do other work. How does that work with drainage, and undersoil heating etc ?

The synthetic turf surface for NFL games is the lower of the two. It means that sight lines from the stands are perfect for both codes. As to light etc, modern technology is so good now that there will be no adverse impact on the pitch when it is housed under the stand for any length of time. The underside of the stand is fitted out with grow lighting and fans that will provide necessary air circulation and deliver a fine mist of water.

What you saw was the completed NFL pitch. What you can see now on the webcams are the trays that will accommodate the grass pitch. The only thing that remains to be done - and which was always planned to be left until a few weeks before it was required - is laying the turf. It's a three day job at most. The drainage and undersoil heating is built into the trays in which the pitch sits.

Finally, as to why the need for two pitches..........money! Not just NFL games but the versatility that the retractable pitch offers will enable Spurs to host many different non football events.

Think the pitch underneath is th nfl pitch and it might be a 3G synthetic surface JimB might have a better idea. The football pitch sits on top, the nfl pitch sits lower due to the sight lines you need when you have lots of players stood on the sidelines in nfl.

It’s quite clever stuff how it moves and slots in place in sections.

Exactly.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Because, with respect, unlike most Spurs fans and posters on here, I have been following this project very closely from the very beginning.

This was a complex build because it is a huge, state of the art, new stadium; two thirds built around a still used, existing stadium; on a site with limited space; in a built up, populated area with poor access. The vast majority of similar new stadia around the world are built on large, open sites with comparatively easy access.

The build was further complicated by the inclusion of a never before attempted, three section, two directional sliding pitch (which will reside under the stands while retracted) with a second pitch underneath it.

As to why it was a tight schedule, well the last ever game at the old Lane was in early May 2017 - which gave Mace and Spurs 16 months to demolish the old stadium; dig foundations; build the remaining third of the stadium; install the roof; build and install both pitches; build the podium; and complete all other public access areas surrounding the stadium. A tough ask. Doable, with a fair wind. But challenging. And, but for the serious issue that came to light last week, Spurs were on course to host the Liverpool game on 15th September. Close. But no cigar.

Between them, Mace and Spurs have failed to hit their ambitious target but anyone who claims that that is evidence of a poorly managed build has little knowledge or understanding of major construction projects - almost all of which are delivered late.

It’s been poorly planned out then. Failed to hit an ambitious target means they’ve fucked up. Should have been planned to open for next season.

 

[hammocity]

The Gelredome is different in one key respect: the pitch slides under the stand and continues outside the stadium, where it resides. It is the same for all other sliding pitches that have hitherto been built.

Where the new WHL differs is that, being in a built up urban area, there wasn't the space to house the pitch outside the stadium. The only option was for the pitch to remain under the stand and podium when retracted. And that meant that unlike all other stadia with sliding pitches, it wouldn't have been possible for the pitch to retract in one piece. Those other stadia have support columns that can temporarily be lifted while the pitch is sliding under the stand, allowing the pitch to remain whole. That option wasn't feasible at new WHL because, with the pitch remaining under the stand, lifted support columns would have had to remain lifted. And that simply wouldn't have been safe - especially not with 17.5K fans adding to the weight of the south stand.

The result of which is that the support columns under the south stand are fixed and the pitch, in addition to sliding from end to end, is split into three sections that slide far enough sideways to allow for the columns. All of which makes it mechanically far more complicated than a n normal sliding pitch.

I take it you are retired or just one sad geek, your continual defence of your club must consume your every thought. It doesn't matter what happens, your obsessional acquired knowledge will count for fuck all when you are safely ensconced in your new Stadium. You remind me of Eddie in Early Doors, traffic lights at Birdhall Lane and all that. Spurs have fucked up, we know it, you know it and Levy knows it, the only difference being the latter thinks he can run a horse and cart through FA rules, he really is a horrible twat.

 

[cleavers]

The synthetic turf surface for NFL games is the lower of the two. It means that sight lines from the stands are perfect for both codes. As to light etc, modern technology is so good now that there will be no adverse impact on the pitch when it is housed under the stand for any length of time. The underside of the stand is fitted out with grow lighting and fans that will provide necessary air circulation and deliver a fine mist of water.

What you saw was the completed NFL pitch. What you can see now on the webcams are the trays that will accommodate the grass pitch. The only thing that remains to be done - and which was always planned to be left until a few weeks before it was required - is laying the turf. It's a three day job at most. The drainage and undersoil heating is built into the trays in which the pitch sits.

Finally, as to why the need for two pitches..........money! Not just NFL games but the versatility that the retractable pitch offers will enable Spurs to host many different non football events.

Thanks.

 

[JimB]

I take it you are retired or just one sad geek, your continual defence of your club must consume your every thought. It doesn't matter what happens, your obsessional acquired knowledge will count for fuck all when you are safely ensconced in your new Stadium. You remind me of Eddie in Early Doors, traffic lights at Birdhall Lane and all that. Spurs have fucked up, we know it, you know it and Levy knows it, the only difference being the latter thinks he can run a horse and cart through FA rules, he really is a horrible twat.

M'kay.........you're obviously a very angry man.

Bizarre that you think that knowledge equals obsession / geekiness. How very alt right of you.