SUFC: The Future How would you redevelop Roots Hall?

[Shrimpergonzo]

I would ask @Sherif H and do whatever he suggests! In fact I think he outlined it in an earlier thread which I’ll try to find.

 

[Crawliano]

I would ask @Sherif H and do whatever he suggests! In fact I think he outlined it in an earlier thread which I’ll try to find.

Was about to say this, @Sherif H has a plan, trust the plan.

 

[Dutch Branch]

The thought of developing RH is much more exciting than moving to Fantasy Farm in my book but definitely some interesting ideas being put forward on here.

 

[wiggy]

Anywhere we could stick the fantastic protest clown?

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

M

I would ask @Sherif H and do whatever he suggests! In fact I think he outlined it in an earlier thread which I’ll try to find.

This is what @Sherif H (who develops stadiums as his day job) said in the SUFC up for sale thread:


“ In this theoretical scenario where we are involved in some capacity, I'd look at bringing the South, North and West up to scratch first.

In my mind, this would involve the following:

Converting the South Lower to safe-standing making this area bearable from a sightline perspective / re-purposing a minimum of 2 x kiosks in the South Upper.

Re-profiling the West Stand and creating consistent and safe terracing areas to then install new seats / upgrade toilet facilities / refurbish 2 x bars / potentially add a canopy to the rear of the West concourse creating covered areas for drinkers/smokers etc...

Re-jig access/egress arrangements to enable the NW corner to be brought back in to home fan use.

Re-profile the North Stand and convert to safe-standing to ensure no issues with the SGSA (who are clamping down hard on persistent standing, particularly in away areas).

Then, and only then, look at the East Stand redevelopment.


You'll appreciate there is far more to each phase (e.g. making safe roofing / treatment and re-painting of structural steel / upgraded lighting / upgraded drainage / new wheelchair accessible areas etc...), but this offers a flavour of the inner workings of my mind!

Re. timeframe and impact on capacity, the nature of this work means it can be programmed to get the bulk of it done within the closed season, with any other works taking place mid-season phased to occur in small blocks of say, 500 seats at a time.”

 

[Strykr]

the only option long term if we stay at roots hall, is to start afresh and rotate the pitch 90 degrees as it’s the only option to maximise the space otherwise it’s comprised on comprised and all the stands need replacing.

The bigger question is how can this be done or where would we place for duration of the work?

Rotation is not the "only option". @sherrifH has covered all this over various threads.

East has enormous potential if tore down and extended.

I like the idea of away fans in the south and we properly corner in the other corners. North stand being wire suspended over that gap is an interesting idea too.

EDIT: shrimpergarry is on it

 

[Shrimper83]

I'd personally rotate the pitch, if access is still needed for away fans then the North can still be used for them (part of it anyway) doing this would allow us to have both ends behind goals being West and East. I don't think we need to offer as much parking as we currently do. People should be encouraged to either park away or use public transport.

 

[Shrimper83]

Rotation is not the "only option". @sherrifH has covered all this over various threads.

East has enormous potential if tore down and extended.

I like the idea of away fans in the south and we properly corner in the other corners. North stand being wire suspended over that gap is an interesting idea too.

EDIT: shrimpergarry is on it

I doubt away fans would ever be allowed into the south again due to them needing coach access in and str8 out

 

[Strykr]

I doubt away fans would ever be allowed into the south again due to them needing coach access in and str8 out

Tbf at the moment an estate car is enough to bring the away fans

 

[Shrimper]

Anywhere we could stick the fantastic protest clown?

We can stick on top of the Main Stand. If Tottenham can have a **** on there's, why can't we?

 

[WestyReturns]

Anywhere we could stick the fantastic protest clown?

In bed with Rigsby

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

I doubt away fans would ever be allowed into the south again due to them needing coach access in and str8 out

Is this actually a requirement or a preference?

So many grounds don't have parking next to it. Gillingham away, the coaches park about half a mile away. Brentford's old ground similar. Cambridge we had to walk through a dodgy park.

 

[Lemon Lyman]

I’d always thought about rotating the pitch 45 degrees as it felt like that fitted better than 90 degrees

 

[The Big Dady]

My dream new Roots Hall

 

[defender05]

For those who want to rotate the pitch 90 degrees, where are we going to be playing while this is all done?

 

[Sherif H]

Thanks @Shrimpergarry for digging out my original musings.

First thing to clarify - the redevelopment of Fratton Park in its current format was essentially pushed in to the thinking of the owners over a number of meetings, and I had to persuade them as to the merits of building over the existing infrastructure. We are now on Phase 4 of that project and there are no signs it is going to end any time soon, such are the benefits in terms of cost and time versus the old chestnut of demolition and re-build.

If I am given some remit to do so by the (fingers crossed) new owners, then the first thing I'd need is a few weeks trawling through the stadium management plan and prioritising the jobs which are currently and/or imminently going to continue to cause both capacity and functionality to be shut down.

Worth noting - on the East Stand...we could theoretically build the mother of all modular structures on there with better hospitality and mixed/flexible space than most Clubs, but get it done in the closed season so there is no down time.
If you want to see what that could look like, check out the temporary stadium and triple decker structure we built for the Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz fight in the desert in Saudi....

 

[Richard Hearn]

I would raze it to the ground and build lots and lots and lots of jerry-built houses.




Do you want the rest of that cheese?

 

[Sherif H]

Re. turning the pitch 90 degrees - not worth the hassle.
Not least, for the fact that you'd have to go through a whole heap of assessments related to neighbourly matters by virtue of moving and modifying floodlight head positions and the like...

@Shrimpergarry - I recall you are from a planning background? My views are that you do whatever possible to avoid having to put in contentious planning applications...working with the existing infrastructure does just this.

 

[annie1954]

Tbf at the moment an estate car is enough to bring the away fans

Or motorbike & sidecar

 

[Sherif H]

Some of you might be interested in this.

We are currently building a 'modular' structure to replace the old temporary South Stand at Bristol Rovers - I'd suggest the footprint is as tight as that of our North Bank. We've gone from 1400 seats to over 3,400 in those restricted dimensions with a bit of 'jiggery pokery'...