5year ground development plan

[Stu1]

I can't see any style of roof keeping rain off holker street terraces the way the wind blows

[Adam29]

A stand like one of the 2 ends at telford at the holker street end would be fine by me

[Alan]

IT'S an ambitious vision from Mr. Cassons, it would be grand if it comes to fruition. NENE Park is a facility that I hope any potential architects are looking to emulate in their designs.

IN keeping with Mr. Cassons' aim of multiple promotions, there are certain ground requirements that need to be met at each level. MY main concerns are the lack of car parking without the use of adjoining land and the proposal for an alcohol-serving Holker End bar.

[Bingo]

Most clubs have bars under their stands

And many clubs don't have big car parking facilities

[Colin Appleton]

I was back home earlier this week and took a look around the ground with my son. The one thing that struck me was the guy that runs the garage that used to be where the Bluebird Club was seems to be in a strong bargaining position. I hope he's a fan because it would seem to me that the only way any re - development can take place is if he can be bought out. I bet the bloke can't believe his luck, his garage is now in a prime position and he'll be aware of it.

I guess if he plays hardball a cheaper option might be to just build a new ground elsewhere and when that's built sadly sell off Holker Street for housing.

Nene Park was mentioned in an earlier post. Max Griggs who owned Rushden and Diamonds bought a shoe factory next to the ground and then closed it because it was the only way he could develop the ground. The factory staff relocated to Leeds.

Paul Casson is talking about spending in the region of ten million pounds. I'd love a new look Holker Street but I'm sure in time I'd get used to watching Barrow play at a brand new ground. There appears to be plenty of land to the side of Holker Street( is it where Brady's used to be ? ) where a new stadium could be built and that area would also have adequate car parking facilities.

I've found that to start with supporters of clubs are very reluctant to move to new stadiums but once they do they always feel it works out better long term for the club. Let's hope though that Barrow don't have to move and the guy who owns the garage is willing to be relocated.

[Hadrian]

I'd be more than happy with Fleetwood's main stand on the popular side IF its covering is effective. (None will be totally effective against rain backed by a driving wind. Fortunately these are almost unknown in Furness.) Our owner's architects will be well-aware of the standards nesessary for training and meeting business with the likes of Abbey House being the alternatives - that was where the training I and my colleagues used to carry out at BAFC was moved to following complaints from our clients over standards in the Crossbar.

Cantilevered coverings will be the way forward to avoid pillars. (Still impressed by the pirate ship where the Bucs play and the firing of a cannon when they score, that behind the Holker street end should take the form of a near full-size Astute class submarine which could fire a torpedo at Millom every time Barrow score.)

A pie shop will nod to the Barrow excellence in this area and a revived Marsh's Sass bar will be an attraction in its own right. (I agree about the quality of food at Kidderminster but understand why that is regularly not achieved at sports grounds. It should nevertheless be a place to consider as a possible model.)

'Safe standing' areas would be more expensive to install than open terracing but can incorporate provision for seating, should that become a requirement if future.

Capacity need not be over-ambitious: five thousand seems more than adequate at present but the phased development means that this can be reviewed over the next few years or additional future capacity developments built into the plan. Nonsense to build something bigger on the off chance that it might be useful if we get a home FA Cup tie against one of the 'big teams'.

The Pirelli Stadium and the Buck's Head were clearly "built to a price" (aren't they all?) but are absolutely fine. For a more recent, higher-budget ground which chases seven-day business the New York Stadium is worth a look.

[Steeley]

Would we need the garage spot? It isnt in the ground. Just build around it.

[Steelworks End]

If the front of the Popular Side was brought back to pitch level by reinstating the front steps that were sacrificed when the speedway track was shoehorned in, then we would have a decent sized area without the land occupied by the garage. The terrace or stand would just be narrower at that end, but an architect should be able to work around that.

[tictactoe]

Why do you think the garage owner bought the building? At the time the development by the old board was under discussion so money is to be made - that would be my guess

[Steeley]

Why do you think the garage owner bought the building? At the time the development by the old board was under discussion so money is to be made - that would be my guess

Bit risky that considering prior to this season weve been on a constant downward spiral both financially and footballing wise. (May have been a risk thats paid off, more by accident than design)

[mickmike wilson]

Capacity need not be over-ambitious: five thousand seems more than adequate at present but the phased development means that this can be reviewed over the next few years or additional future capacity developments built into the plan. Nonsense to build something bigger on the off chance that it might be useful if we get a home FA Cup tie against one of the 'big teams'.

The Pirelli Stadium and the Buck's Head were clearly "built to a price" (aren't they all?) but are absolutely fine. For a more recent, higher-budget ground which chases seven-day business the New York Stadium is worth a look.

Our average attendances would be much higher than today's average if we are 'on plan' and competing at the top end of the CP, The away followings will be vastly higher when facing several clubs especially in the future seasons final run in's, away followings over 1k are not uncommon leaving only 4k for BAFC fans.

This squad & our future improved squads should qualify for the proper rounds of the FA Cup on a more regular basis increasing the likely hood of facing teams like Coventry, Pompy, Sheff U, T'mere, Luton & many others that potentially bring a large following......Though less likely but well more probable than you might think is getting through to the 3rd round and finally getting a huge club at home....stranger things have happened, everyone remembers M'boro & S'land.....Imagine having 1 or 2 third round homes games @ 20 or 25 or even 30 quid per ticket due to the demand....We'd easily lose 100k/120k per game on tickets & food outlets and merch etc.

The Dover QF had up towards of 1500+ locked out reportedly, what crowd would a Prem Giant expect?

What if we did a Fleetwood & were in the playoffs or better in L2....5k wouldn't cut it & lost revenue would be enormous, IMHO 8k capacity is what we should be looking for with future increases planned for as or when required.

Even the struggling Rugby recently got 6300 for a CC game @ CP We would deffo get 8k/10k

Lots of 'what ifs' here but these 'what ifs' are on track to change to probables under the Edmolution

[mickmike wilson]

If the front of the Popular Side was brought back to pitch level by reinstating the front steps that were sacrificed when the speedway track was shoehorned in, then we would have a decent sized area without the land occupied by the garage. The terrace or stand would just be narrower at that end, but an architect should be able to work around that.

Bargaining chip right there.

[mickmike wilson]

Why do you think the garage owner bought the building? At the time the development by the old board was under discussion so money is to be made - that would be my guess

It was reported that 2 unnamed BOD member were also interested in the bidding at the time, I was concerned that they were not going public and listing their intentions at the time as if it was BAFC business they would have bid for it under that banner, shirley?

[Hadrian]

Why do you think the garage owner bought the building? At the time the development by the old board was under discussion so money is to be made - that would be my guess

To create a new body shop, perhaps?

Of at least as much significance would be the owner's rights to use of the car park away from match days and the effect it may have upon future BAFC non-match day activity.

[Hadrian]

The Dover QF had up towards of 1500+ locked out reportedly, what crowd would a Prem Giant expect?

One capacity crowd since leaving the League in 1972 and the prospect of something that happened last in 1968 don't seem a good basis on which to base your argument, Mike! Of course we'd love it to happen and maybe one day...

No point spending money on facilities which will in general not be used. A modest start with capacity to grow in the future, should it prove necessary, is a more sensible approach. I'd prefer to see a full ground redevelopment on a sensible scale rather than a vanity project main stand for a future that may not happen and the whole project stalling as a result.

The use of the facilities at the ground outside match day for BAFC community use and as a source of sustainable income will be an important factor in the growth of the club and its support.