SUFC: The Future The regeneration of Roots Hall

[Bearded Shrimper]

Hence why I prefaced the explanation with the client's brief to squeeze in seats over aesthetics.

Few points of note when comparing to the North Bank:

1 - Yes, both have supporting columns to prop the roof, but the sightlines ('C-values') at Bristol exceed code requirements. Those in the North Bank will be well under the recommended figures.

2 - The new structure created at Bristol Rovers removed any inconsistency in critical dimensions (tread depths/riser heights, radial gangway and exit widths) - all things which won't be obvious to the naked eye, but have a major impact on permissible entry/exit capacity within the stadium's safety management plan, and have a bearing on safety certificate capacity calculation. The North Bank will only continue to degrade and make this process more problematic.

3 - The consideration about cantilever v supporting stanchions is twofold.
Firstly, the primary steels (think the rear column and raker - that is the diagonal member supporting the terracing, which partially props up the roof) would be significantly larger and heavier than those used at Bristol Rovers. The roof joists would likely convert to very deep trussed sections as well.
This has a knock-on effect on the civils works (foundations required) and the operational demands (requirement for craneage v forklift/manual handling etc.) - this has a major impact on time and cost.
For a span of that size, you might have a column at the rear which is a metre in diameter.
Secondly, and in turn, the increased steel dimensions reduce the available footprint, thus reducing theoretical maximum capacity - this is where a modular structure would make sense, but these have a cap on size, and any new North Bank would likely be larger than this restriction.
Bristol was a product of a strict brief of low cost capacity over aesthetics.

4 - The North Bank would appear to be an in-situ concrete terrace, cast over an embankment (likely comprised of waste material / rubble / asbestos / spoil etc.). There is currently no ability to create functional space - the Club's revenue in this area will be driven by net spend per head.
By creating a large void beneath the seating deck, we have enabled Bristol Rovers to introduce food & beverage / toilet functionality which was previously hired in as required.
If you don't have functionality beneath the stand, then this means it either has to be brought in outside the stand footprint (which isn't really possible as it stands), or placed at either end at the expense of seats, so there is a major trade off.

i was with you all the way up to 'Hence'

 

[South Bank Hank]

i was with you all the way up to 'Hence'

You’re just narked because @Sherif H brings strong competition in the beard game.

 

[Sherif H]

i was with you all the way up to 'Hence'

No worries. I try my best!

 

[overseas shrimper]

Yeah I guess but if the stand looks like it's built in the 60s and offers poor views it's hardly going to attract many more fans to go watch Southend unless there playing a prem club in the fa cup.

Especially when putting the stand in Bristol. Madness.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Note the reduction in roof height and span leading to a reduction in supporting columns at Eastleigh - this is one of ours, but we actually replaced all of the seating structure last season.
Quite rare in that the roof structure is a completely separate entity to the seating, albeit we have done this previously at Inverness (but with a cantilevered roof) - I've attached photos for those interested.

This is a better comparison in terms of scale against the current North Bank.
View attachment 33172


View attachment 33171

Thanks for all the info @Sherif H - out of interest, what is the capacity of the stand at Eastleigh, does it have a concourse underneath and how does it compare to the capacity of our north stand?

 

[Sunnyshrimper]

The ‘Inverness’ solution is definitely the way to go for fan experience and aesthetics (I can’t believe professional clubs are still building new stands with 3 or 4 big metal girders half way up causing obstructions for fans tbh). Of course it does come down to project cost as Sherif says. Would be nice to see us do North properly once for years to come. And then rebuild East entirely.

 

[Bar na bas]

The Bristol Rovers south stand is a vast improvement on what was there before…(picture below from November 2021, Rovers v Tranmere, featuring a still sprightly Peter Clarke).

I sat in the stand opposite the main stand and the views from there are very good. As are the food options near to that stand.

From memory, the scoreboard was good, May have even had pictures of the players as the teams were announced before the match started, and gold updates during the game.

 

[Sherif H]

Thanks for all the info @Sherif H - out of interest, what is the capacity of the stand at Eastleigh, does it have a concourse underneath and how does it compare to the capacity of our north stand?

Eastleigh is about 2,000. The system there is somewhat different - because the seating structure is modular and sits within an existing roof structure, there is space behind the seating as opposed to underneath. This creates a kind of boulevard between the seating structure and the rear of the roof.

 

[Bar na bas]

The biggest challenge we may have is planning permission given the proximity to housing. That doesn't seem to be a problem for BR based on that photo.

There are houses right behind that south stand. Wayward shots would likely end up in the road or back gardens.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

The Bristol Rovers south stand is a vast improvement on what was there before…(picture below from November 2021, Rovers v Tranmere, featuring a still sprightly Peter Clarke).

I sat in the stand opposite the main stand and the views from there are very good. As are the food options near to that stand.

It is highly likely that Peter Clarke will still be sprightly into his 70's. Fabulous professional.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

There are houses right behind that south stand. Wayward shots would likely end up in the road or back gardens.

Yep - houses are much closer to Rovers' South Stand than to our North Bank

 

[Sherif H]

Yep - houses are much closer to Rovers' South Stand than to our North Bank


View attachment 33175

This is how close it is now...



Note, this is just before handover, hence the blocks propping up the rainwater channel which was just being fitted!

Those are the old exit stairs that have been out of action for some years.

When I mean we were asked to use every piece of space available, well....

 

[Supershrimper]

This is how close it is now...

View attachment 33176

Note, this is just before handover, hence the blocks propping up the rainwater channel which was just being fitted!

Those are the old exit stairs that have been out of action for some years.

When I mean we were asked to use every piece of space available, well....

At first glance I thought the new stand had been built on breeze blocks

 

[bazzashrimper]

This is how close it is now...

View attachment 33176

Note, this is just before handover, hence the blocks propping up the rainwater channel which was just being fitted!

Those are the old exit stairs that have been out of action for some years.

When I mean we were asked to use every piece of space available, well....

What happens if they remove that bush?

 

[GBJ]

What happens if they remove that bush?

The Gulf war doesn’t happen

 

[Booma]

Anything built pre 2000 can have asbestos or so my wife said, she’s a director there so I assume she knows what’s she’s talking about.

Then again she married me so she can’t be all there to start with

Your wife is correct, asbestos was banned in 1999

 

[bazzashrimper]

The Gulf war doesn’t happen

I meant the one in the photo. Before this is filled of more jokes about Debbie and Dallas.

 

[GBJ]

I meant the one in the photo. Before this is filled of more jokes about Debbie and Dallas.

I was going to say something much cruder

 

[kaymac]

Eastleigh is about 2,000. The system there is somewhat different - because the seating structure is modular and sits within an existing roof structure, there is space behind the seating as opposed to underneath. This creates a kind of boulevard between the seating structure and the rear of the roof.

Wouldn’t want a stand anything like like that at Eastleigh, much prefer Woking’s stand.

 

[londonblue]

There are houses right behind that south stand. Wayward shots would likely end up in the road or back gardens.

The houses behind the South were built by the club at the same time the stand was built. It was all part of the same development.

Any new South stand may well be higher and bigger than the current one, impacting gardens and light. My post wasn't about balls going into gardens.