SOL expansion

[tynevalleyblackcat]

How is it possible to put extra seats in the east stand whether it’s corporate or normal seats without taking the roof off and building at the back of the stand which would cost millions, I just can’t see how it could be done.

I am guessing they will take the roof off and build at the back of the stand. Just a hunch.

 

[big bill]

I am guessing they will take the roof off and build at the back of the stand. Just a hunch.

Your hunch could well be correct, but then that would replicate the west stand and add about 8 thousand extra seats, not a thousand or so, and that’s not going to happen any time soon.

 

[tynevalleyblackcat]

The reality is they would not need to touch the roof to add a row of executive boxes to the back of the East stand. Just build up behind and punch through the cladding and the roof could stay in situ. There is already some unused floor space at the back of the East stand and that could be extended by building up from the ground outside the current footprint.

I have no idea if the club are considering this but it seems a relatively easy project from a construction point of view and one that could be done without limiting the existing ongoing use of the East Stand during construction with careful planning. They would need to reconsider the existing smoke clearance strategy but that's nothing that cannot be overcome with some clever engineering and throwing a few quid at it.

Your hunch could well be correct, but then that would replicate the west stand and add about 8 thousand extra seats, not a thousand or so, and that’s not going to happen any time soon.

No, I think they may just look at adding a row of boxes at the back. Not extra standard seats. They will need to use some land behind the current East Stand for kithcens, and access etc but I think its possible. The existing roof could remain in place and they could increase the number of boxes by something like another 70%.

 

[oddbod]

Your hunch could well be correct, but then that would replicate the west stand and add about 8 thousand extra seats, not a thousand or so, and that’s not going to happen any time soon.

One think is for sure they wont spend a lot of money! So I doubt the extension story is a goer …I however could see them refurbing the bcb and extend the boxes along the north stand in line with the ones that are already there.Its just not their mindset to spend money without the expectation of a fairly immediate return.

 

[Zimba]

The reality is they would not need to touch the roof to add a row of executive boxes to the back of the East stand. Just build up behind and punch through the cladding and the roof could stay in situ. There is already some unused floor space at the back of the East stand and that could be extended by building up from the ground outside the current footprint.

I have no idea if the club are considering this but it seems a relatively easy project from a construction point of view and one that could be done without limiting the existing ongoing use of the East Stand during construction with careful planning. They would need to reconsider the existing smoke clearance strategy but that's nothing that cannot be overcome with some clever engineering and throwing a few quid at it.

No, I think they may just look at adding a row of boxes at the back. Not extra standard seats. They will need to use some land behind the current East Stand for kithcens, and access etc but I think its possible. The existing roof could remain in place and they could increase the number of boxes by something like another 70%.

Adding boxes to the East Stand would loose seats not gain seats though and would be horribly expensive.

Personally I'd assume any work is going to involve the Black Cats Bar, Club Shop and all the void places in the West Stand.

There's tonnes of space available before expanding atm.

 

[tynevalleyblackcat]

They could also add another corporate area with standard padded seats within the current East stand area that would use the lounge/lounges behind in the same way the Montgomery suite works in the West stand.

One issue is the sun will be in their eyes during many games which is the reason the stadium was built the way it is. The current West stand does not have this issue and despite popular belief, the stadium was not built 'the wrong way round'.

Adding boxes to the East Stand would loose seats not gain seats though and would be horribly expensive.

Personally I'd assume any work is going to involve the Black Cats Bar, Club Shop and all the void places in the West Stand.

There's tonnes of space available before expanding atm.

I really do not think this is the case. Its effectively a stand alone building behind the existing East stand that connects through to the existing stand. The roof would be pretty much untouched. Depends whether the extra corporate that would be added pays back the investment?

I agree it would most likely result in a slight decrease in overall capacity but a big uplift in corporate.

 

[Randy Savage]

Only thing I was told recently by someone at the club is that they are looking to do some sort of new fans bar in the old shop.

I had asked about BCB and whether that was going the distance, but the person said they didn’t know anything about that, just the above.

 

[big bill]

Adding boxes to the East Stand would loose seats not gain seats though and would be horribly expensive.

Personally I'd assume any work is going to involve the Black Cats Bar, Club Shop and all the void places in the West Stand.

There's tonnes of space available before expanding atm.

That to me seems the only realistic option in the short to medium term, I would have thought converting the black cats bar into boxes would be lucrative and not hugely expensive, the wall from the west/ north stand corner would need to be brought all the way round to have a couple of rows of seats outside the new boxes would be the main expense,

 

[Zimba]

They could also add another corporate area with standard padded seats within the current East stand area that would use the lounge/lounges behind in the same way the Montgomery suite works in the West stand.

One issue is the sun will be in their eyes during many games which is the reason the stadium was built the way it is. The current West stand does not have this issue and despite popular belief, the stadium was not built 'the wrong way round'.

I really do not think this is the case. Its effectively a stand alone building behind the existing East stand that connects through to the existing stand. The roof would be pretty much untouched. Depends whether the extra corporate that would be added pays back the investment?

I agree it would most likely result in a slight decrease in overall capacity but a big uplift in corporate.

We don't really need all the corporate at the current time though. The current corporate areas (excluding boxes) is not busy at all.

Personally, I think it would be better if they were going to do corporate, at the current time, would be using the front areas of the Premier Concourse. It's arguably some of our best seating anyway.

Not to mention from a selfish point of view I don't agree with corporate at both sides of the stadium. We should have access to one side of the decent seats and they do at pretty much all stadiums even some of the new ones. What's the point if we can only sit in the shite seats unless paying through the odds. It would create a horrible atmosphere.

That to me seems the only realistic option in the short to medium term, I would have thought converting the black cats bar into boxes would be lucrative and not hugely expensive, the wall from the west/ north stand corner would need to be brought all the way round to have a couple of rows of seats outside the new boxes would be the main expense,

Yeah that's my thoughts aswell, just makes sense aswell.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Only thing I was told recently by someone at the club is that they are looking to do some sort of new fans bar in the old shop.

I had asked about BCB and whether that was going the distance, but the person said they didn’t know anything about that, just the above.

It’s going mate.

 

[AndrewP]

Do we know for sure that they do?

KLD is a trust fund billionaire. His trust fund may not have matured yet. It could be that the reason he has ran the club so diligently and thriftfully so far, and also the reason that his mum seemed to be involved in the acquisition, is that he had to apply to the executor of his trust fund (mummy) to acces some funds early to buy his shares in the club. That would mean that he doesn’t actually have any cash to pump in without getting permission again.

Playing devils advocate of course, I haven’t a f***ing clue about his financial situation, but then neither do the rest of us to my knowledge, so speaking with such authority seems remiss.

I think you're right that he had to apply to the trust at the time. It's unlikely the trust is still in place though.

Only thing I was told recently by someone at the club is that they are looking to do some sort of new fans bar in the old shop.

I had asked about BCB and whether that was going the distance, but the person said they didn’t know anything about that, just the above.

They could put a few padded seats at the back of the east stand and sell a low level corporate package with pre-match at Black Cat House or the hotel if they could do a deal with Short.

It’s going mate.

What's the plan? Remove the back two rows of padded seats and build the balconies for new boxes?

We don't really need all the corporate at the current time though. The current corporate areas (excluding boxes) is not busy at all.

If we go up it's required. I'm guessing they're ready to do whatever if/when promotion looks likely.

 

[Zimba]

I think you're right that he had to apply to the trust at the time. It's unlikely the trust is still in place though.

They could put a few padded seats at the back of the east stand and sell a low level corporate package with pre-match at Black Cat House or the hotel if they could do a deal with Short.

What's the plan? Remove the back two rows of padded seats and build the balconies for new boxes?

So kick out season ticket holders which have been there for years to cater for a few padded seats when there's plenty free in the West Stand?

Hospitality shouldn't be in the East Stand full stop, bar boxes. It's not needed at all, if there was ever an extension then the only place it should be is at the front of the upper tier.

The point of cheaper hospitality is to attract people to an area of a ground which would usually be unattractive hence the reason why the Black Cats bar is in the North Stand.

 

[AndrewP]

So kick out season ticket holders which have been there for years to cater for a few padded seats when there's plenty free in the West Stand?

Hospitality shouldn't be in the East Stand full stop, bar boxes. It's not needed at all, if there was ever an extension then the only place it should be is at the front of the upper tier.

The point of cheaper hospitality is to attract people to an area of a ground which would usually be unattractive hence the reason why the Black Cats bar is in the North Stand.

They kicked us out of the North Stand when they moved the away fans up top.

The reason the BCB seats are where they are is because they moved the away fans up there. The area were the BCB seats are these days were very popular seats and still would be today if they were normal seats again.

 

[Mackem00]

There’s no plans to extend the stands mate. Although capacity might increase by 1,000-2,000, that will be down to extra hospitality options

I agree with this plan. The ground is big enough as is.

 

[seaham ftm]

Exactly what I’ve heard today. Was just about to post it. Something could happen over the summer. Corporate in East stand that will bring about a slight increase in capacity. Will take us up to just over 50 thousand capacity. Must be extra seats being added and boxes I’d imagine

The numpties on here reckon it can’t happen though without another tier on top like the premier concourse. They couldn’t be told unfortunately as this is what I’d been told from within the club as well.

 

[Zimba]

They kicked us out of the North Stand when they moved the away fans up top.

The reason the BCB seats are where they are is because they moved the away fans up there. The area were the BCB seats are these days were very popular seats and still would be today if they were normal seats again.

Aye but two wrongs don't make a right though.

Not sure the back of the North Stand is the most popular place in the ground though.

Personally I'd rather see any new hospitality in current closed premier concourse areas. Not sure on the block numbers but the areas at the front to the right of directors areas wouldn't be a bad area. One of the access stairs is right next to the old club shop aswell if I'm right aswell.

Be a decent spot and no-one is moved.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

So kick out season ticket holders which have been there for years to cater for a few padded seats when there's plenty free in the West Stand?

Hospitality shouldn't be in the East Stand full stop, bar boxes. It's not needed at all, if there was ever an extension then the only place it should be is at the front of the upper tier.

The point of cheaper hospitality is to attract people to an area of a ground which would usually be unattractive hence the reason why the Black Cats bar is in the North Stand.

So from what I have heard; the club have realised that to keep big gigs, they need to improve the hospitality offering inside the SOL.

At one stage last year they thought they had Taylor Swift - which would have been huge. In the end though, the gigs went to anfield. One of the reasons being the new stand at anfield has vast hospitality options which at present we can’t compete with.

The first redevelopment will be the North stand. The east stand will follow but PL money is needed.

Now it’s more likely that the mags won’t be moving, a bit of investment will cement the SOL as the only stadium between Manchester and Edinburgh that can host big gigs

 

[AndrewP]

Aye but two wrongs don't make a right though.

Not sure the back of the North Stand is the most popular place in the ground though.

Personally I'd rather see any new hospitality in current closed premier concourse areas. Not sure on the block numbers but the areas at the front to the right of directors areas wouldn't be a bad area. One of the access stairs is right next to the old club shop aswell if I'm right aswell.

Be a decent spot and no-one is moved.

It may not be, but it was very popular at the time. All sold out with season tickets.

You're right about new corporate seats up there though if it's feasible. Probably makes more sense than building. If the rumour it's true about new boxes in the BCB, they'll suddenly have some room for a hospitality area too.

The first redevelopment will be the North stand. The east stand will follow but PL money is needed.

Isn't that in a bit of a crap place for corporate concert seats, presuming that's actually the driving motivator, as you suggest?

Now it’s more likely that the mags won’t be moving, a bit of investment will cement the SOL as the only stadium between Manchester and Edinburgh that can host big gigs

I thought it was more likely than ever they were moving?

 

[Zimba]

So from what I have heard; the club have realised that to keep big gigs, they need to improve the hospitality offering inside the SOL.

At one stage last year they thought they had Taylor Swift - which would have been huge. In the end though, the gigs went to anfield. One of the reasons being the new stand at anfield has vast hospitality options which at present we can’t compete with.

The first redevelopment will be the North stand. The east stand will follow but PL money is needed.

Now it’s more likely that the mags won’t be moving, a bit of investment will cement the SOL as the only stadium between Manchester and Edinburgh that can host big gigs

Aye that makes sense like. If we got into the Premier League and doing well then I could see it making total sense but obviously that needs to come first really.

The North Stand definitely needs to be done asap though and it makes sense.

Definitely do think a redevelopment of the East Stand wouldn't be the worst idea though - at the right time.

It may not be, but it was very popular at the time. All sold out with season tickets.

You're right about new corporate seats up there though if it's feasible. Probably makes more sense than building. If the rumour it's true about new boxes in the BCB, they'll suddenly have some room for a hospitality area too.

Yeah that's true, I know they're up there and not pushing for moving them but I always think it's a shame the away fans are in the upper tier.

The best corporate space imo would be the P blocks and do something like Wembley where you have the 2xx blocks all around the ground. They're arguably the best seats in the stadium really.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

It may not be, but it was very popular at the time. All sold out with season tickets.

You're right about new corporate seats up there though if it's feasible. Probably makes more sense than building. If the rumour it's true about new boxes in the BCB, they'll suddenly have some room for a hospitality area too.

Isn't that in a bit of a crap place for corporate concert seats, presuming that's actually the driving motivator, as you suggest?

I thought it was more likely than ever they were moving?

It’s an easy win mate. The infrastructure is already in place and therefore the costs won’t be huge. Plus as the stage is always at the South Stand, the new offerings will face the artist(s).

Re: the mags. I think it’s more likely they just redevelop SJP. They will chuck another tier on top of the gallowgate and push the attendance towards 60,000. Again, it’s a pretty easy win and the work will be completed before the Euros.