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Quizzed on whether promotion hastens the rebuild of the Cobbold Stand, a medium to long-term aim, Ashton added: “Over the next couple of months you will see numerous plans coming out for Portman Road and the areas around Portman Road.
“We work really well with the council, they’ve been really supportive. Not only do we want to build a football club, we want to help regenerate this town. We’re passionate about that.
“I’d say watch this space because I think there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months.”
Not sure we've talked about this.
Will it be plans for the Cobbold? Plans for the roof being popped off the West Stand and another tier being chucked on top? (Good God that will be high) As I suspect - The council starting work on the Aquatic Centre and the line of Portman Road being shifted? Or Something Else?
RE the Britannia stand (yes it is still called that in my head...) I know absolutely zilch about engineering/building etc but how complex is that idea? I'd assume there would have to be huge improvements to the existing foundations etc? Or is it case of using the space behind to cantilver over the top?
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:13 - May 6 with 4701 views
Specifically I suspect the plans for the extension to expand the West stand which will be done first to house the additional (most of) fans from the Cobbold prior to its demolition. Be nice to see the Cobbold drawings also and timelines. Other projects I would be unsure ?
Gav
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:17 - May 6 with 4638 views
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 12:59 - May 6 by BseaBlue
RE the Britannia stand (yes it is still called that in my head...) I know absolutely zilch about engineering/building etc but how complex is that idea? I'd assume there would have to be huge improvements to the existing foundations etc? Or is it case of using the space behind to cantilver over the top?
I believe the Pioneer/Britannia or whatever they call it now. Probably the Kieran McKenna stand was changed once before. I presume the idea of extending it is due to accommodating those from the Cobbold stand whilst the rebuild takes place. What I see happening is if we managed to stay in the Premier League then building would start prior to the following season. So the addition would happen at the same time that the Cobbold came down. Demotion and maybe it wouldn't happen. I don't know what the ins and outs are regarding where we are at the end of next season. Maybe they still go ahead. But would we need a 35-40,000 seater stadium in the Championship ? Then you also have the situation with Gamechanger with regards to the viability of selling the club. Not that I expect this to happen for a few seasons, but it will happen and any development of PR adds to the value of the assets.
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:32 - May 6 with 4466 views
Another tier on top of West stand will be quite something. Better than having 3k or 4k fans with nowhere to go but won’t be much of a view from up there, surely?
I still wonder if there’s a way to knock down half the Cobbold - leave enough room for away fans - and get on with building a new half, then knock down the away section and finish it off.
The logistics and financing and uncertainty of what league we’ll be in, make this a complex project. Sooner we start the better.
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 12:59 - May 6 by BseaBlue
RE the Britannia stand (yes it is still called that in my head...) I know absolutely zilch about engineering/building etc but how complex is that idea? I'd assume there would have to be huge improvements to the existing foundations etc? Or is it case of using the space behind to cantilver over the top?
IIRC when the existing top tier was put on the West Stand (early 80s) the construction was a bit easier because the existing foundations were strong enough to take the extra tier. I hope they’ve got a good structural engineer if they’re planning to put another tier on those foundations.
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:25 - May 6 by OldFart71
I believe the Pioneer/Britannia or whatever they call it now. Probably the Kieran McKenna stand was changed once before. I presume the idea of extending it is due to accommodating those from the Cobbold stand whilst the rebuild takes place. What I see happening is if we managed to stay in the Premier League then building would start prior to the following season. So the addition would happen at the same time that the Cobbold came down. Demotion and maybe it wouldn't happen. I don't know what the ins and outs are regarding where we are at the end of next season. Maybe they still go ahead. But would we need a 35-40,000 seater stadium in the Championship ? Then you also have the situation with Gamechanger with regards to the viability of selling the club. Not that I expect this to happen for a few seasons, but it will happen and any development of PR adds to the value of the assets.
With capacity and facilities, I would imagine that some of it will come down to non-ITFC use as well.
We'd probably still be too small for use at any men's tournaments (stadia for Euro 2028 appear to have a minimum capacity of 50,000) but a decent capacity would put us in the frame for women's tournaments, for example. At Euro 2022, eight of the ten stadia had capacities under 35,000.
There's a gaping hole in East Anglia when it comes to distribution of tournament venues, so hopefully a decent increase in capacity would put us on the map.
It'd also help with concerts and the like.
The setup would be interesting for sure, especially with the suggestions that the FanZone may be getting a remodel/upgrade over the summer as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if any works on the stand might look to bring the footprint backwards a bit, over the open area which currently sits between the FanZone fence and the stand itself. That might help with replacement of the roof and the addition of extra seating, by creating the ability to build back and cantilever the stand externally. I can imagine that one of the smaller goals of any project will be to remove restricted views from the stand.
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:32 - May 6 by Illinoisblue
Another tier on top of West stand will be quite something. Better than having 3k or 4k fans with nowhere to go but won’t be much of a view from up there, surely?
I still wonder if there’s a way to knock down half the Cobbold - leave enough room for away fans - and get on with building a new half, then knock down the away section and finish it off.
The logistics and financing and uncertainty of what league we’ll be in, make this a complex project. Sooner we start the better.
By knocking down half, do you mean moving left to right (or right to left)?
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:32 - May 6 by Illinoisblue
Another tier on top of West stand will be quite something. Better than having 3k or 4k fans with nowhere to go but won’t be much of a view from up there, surely?
I still wonder if there’s a way to knock down half the Cobbold - leave enough room for away fans - and get on with building a new half, then knock down the away section and finish it off.
The logistics and financing and uncertainty of what league we’ll be in, make this a complex project. Sooner we start the better.
The fans won't like it, but we don't really need the ticket money in the PL. It's a small part of a PL income, so knocking down a stand won't be a big issue from a financial perspective.
So whatever happens, will happen if we stay in the PL I assume?
[Post edited 6 May 13:41]
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:41 - May 6 with 4321 views
I imagine planning permission being submitted for one of the stands, or has recently been submitted.
Would imagine they'll try and do what Liverpool did with the Cobbold, limits the impact of ST holders, which is why there was a big song and dance about securing the perimeter around it.
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:40 - May 6 by ElderGrizzly
The fans won't like it, but we don't really need the ticket money in the PL. It's a small part of a PL income, so knocking down a stand won't be a big issue from a financial perspective.
So whatever happens, will happen if we stay in the PL I assume?
[Post edited 6 May 13:41]
Of course but you don’t want thousands of fans unable to get a ticket for an extended period of time.
Think you will find it will include amongst other things moving turnstiles from Sir Alf Ramsey way that give access to the West Stand and Fan zone and re-siting them immediately parallel to back of the West Stand - a bit like what they have done to South Stand / Sir Alf Ramsey Stand. Then moving the whole existing bar area in the fan zone to a permanent structure from where it is to run parallel to car park next to reception area. Also replace the portable toilets from behind the large TV screen in the fan zone and build a new toilet block where the beer tent currently is.
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:52 - May 6 with 4113 views
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:17 - May 6 by MattinLondon
And that’s why being in the PL is important as that cash enables such rebuilds and projects to happen. An exciting summer ahead.
And for old times sake - Ashton out.
Edit. Can’t believe people have downvoted a post that’s basically stating why it’s important for the club to be in the PL.
[Post edited 6 May 13:56]
It helps but I don't think it's critical. PL revenue won't be used to cover the cost (that will come from the owners). It's such a long term investment (25+year horizon) that you can't be swayed too much by what year 1 and year 2 look like.
They will also be forced into it sooner or later as both of the roofs are asbestos and in a pretty poor state, the Cobbold just isn't fit for purpose any more either.
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:54 - May 6 with 4074 views
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:36 - May 6 by SmithersJones
IIRC when the existing top tier was put on the West Stand (early 80s) the construction was a bit easier because the existing foundations were strong enough to take the extra tier. I hope they’ve got a good structural engineer if they’re planning to put another tier on those foundations.
I used to stand on the west terrace in front of the old west stand (which is still there- they just built the new bit behind it and took the roof off) although there was a tarmac area to access and mingle, but don't remember any foundations there behind it in the practice pitch until they actually started building effectively a separate stand which became the upper tier, exec boxes (which took over 40 years to complete!) and stairwells to access it that we still have. For many years Bobby R and previous managers used to train the players on that practice pitch where the upper tier stands.
[Post edited 6 May 14:13]
Never forget that on 7th. April 2021, for ITFC, the Game Changed.
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 14:31 - May 6 with 3662 views
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:37 - May 6 by Zx1988
With capacity and facilities, I would imagine that some of it will come down to non-ITFC use as well.
We'd probably still be too small for use at any men's tournaments (stadia for Euro 2028 appear to have a minimum capacity of 50,000) but a decent capacity would put us in the frame for women's tournaments, for example. At Euro 2022, eight of the ten stadia had capacities under 35,000.
There's a gaping hole in East Anglia when it comes to distribution of tournament venues, so hopefully a decent increase in capacity would put us on the map.
It'd also help with concerts and the like.
The setup would be interesting for sure, especially with the suggestions that the FanZone may be getting a remodel/upgrade over the summer as well.
I wouldn't be surprised if any works on the stand might look to bring the footprint backwards a bit, over the open area which currently sits between the FanZone fence and the stand itself. That might help with replacement of the roof and the addition of extra seating, by creating the ability to build back and cantilever the stand externally. I can imagine that one of the smaller goals of any project will be to remove restricted views from the stand.
Cobbold needs work. My ST is in the SBR Upper, which is fine, but was in the Cobbold for Ed Sheeran and that is really not great...
But I was really surprised at the capacity at St Mary's a week ago (I know, how time flies). 31k if I remember correctly, and it looks smaller. Is that because they have filled in the corners, and would that not be an option for us as well?
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Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 14:32 - May 6 with 3658 views
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 14:31 - May 6 by Exiled2Surrey
Cobbold needs work. My ST is in the SBR Upper, which is fine, but was in the Cobbold for Ed Sheeran and that is really not great...
But I was really surprised at the capacity at St Mary's a week ago (I know, how time flies). 31k if I remember correctly, and it looks smaller. Is that because they have filled in the corners, and would that not be an option for us as well?
IIRC the club looked at filling in the corners but decided not to. I don't know the reasons.
Ashton: "there’ll be more things coming out over the next few months" on 13:37 - May 6 by Broadbent23
We need Stands with no restrictions then the ticket selection will be 100% better.
Having a ticket for a stand (an end) and allowing people to stand with their mates would be a very radical approach but would definitely help improve the atmosphere - just as it does at many away grounds up and down the country were plenty of small groups seem to stand together.
Not sure of the legalities of it - and there would be some push back am sure from some fans.
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