SUFC: The Future The regeneration of Roots Hall

[Sherif H]

That'll do me. Especially safe standing in the North, if it can be worked out to return it to home fans. Shove the away fans in the NW corner with their own access via Fairfax Drive.

Out of interest @Sherif H is the East stand here a single tier or two tier construction?

Based on single tier purely for simplicity. You could go two tier, but would end up resulting in an even higher structure than necessary, on the proviso that we can extend in to the car park without too many issues.
Height is a factor which will need the involvement of a planning consultant - with particular attention being paid to neighbourly matters such as Rights of Light, although I suspect the only issues might be the residents of the new flats on the Prospects site.

 

[Sherif H]

Do you think the West seating could be "re-scoped" bringing it closer to the pitch with some more leg space and room?

I wouldn't bring it closer to the pitch, but it could be re-profiled yes. That would be one of the elements of my own masterplan.

 

[Supershrimper]

So, I've had a very crude play with scaling on my lunch hour....this is the result...

Move the pitch 5m toward the East - this improves the sightlines from the existing West Stand without touching anything.

North Stand re-developed to provide a mild uplift from circa 2k to 2.5k, and incoporating safe-standing.

East Stand rebuilt, with dimensions very crudely estimated to provide a capacity of around 5,500 and a couple of floors of mixed-use/hospitality space.

NE corner is optional, but might be more for architectural merit than any great increase in useful real estate.

View attachment 29264

If someone from the consortium isn't giving you a call RE ideas for the development of Roots Hall post 1st of November (or before) then they need to give their heads a wobble!

 

[Shrimper1985]

If someone from the consortium isn't giving you a call RE ideas for the development of Roots Hall post 1st of November (or before) then they need to give their heads a wobble!

they are

 

[Cricko]

I wouldn't bring it closer to the pitch, but it could be re-profiled yes. That would be one of the elements of my own masterplan.

Shreif is now pondering at home.

 

[Smiffy]

Based on single tier purely for simplicity. You could go two tier, but would end up resulting in an even higher structure than necessary, on the proviso that we can extend in to the car park without too many issues.
Height is a factor which will need the involvement of a planning consultant - with particular attention being paid to neighbourly matters such as Rights of Light, although I suspect the only issues might be the residents of the new flats on the Prospects site.

Thats a decent capacity for a single tier. What current stands around the country would be of a similar size for comparison?

 

[Goodwin]

The bear minimum should be the following in my opinion

A new East stand is a must and we don't need a car park of that size

Extend the east stand into a new "grand stand"

Replace the roof and redevelop the north stand

Replace the roof on the Rose West stand and replace the kisoks, bars and toilets at the back with modern replacements

Redevelop the South stand

In my mind, I'm picturing a smaller st james park haha and would love it if the corners got filled in

And increase the number of ladies toilets in the west stand

 

[SeldomSeenShrimper]

Thats a decent capacity for a single tier. What current stands around the country would be of a similar size for comparison?

Think i read that spurs broke the record with their new stadium

 

[londonblue]

Sorry, but to me this all sounds very 2nd rate.

We'll still have posts all over the West Stand that means the viewing won't have been improved all that much. We'll also still have next to no room at the back of the West Stand, and no way to walk round to the club shop.

Very underwhelming. Let's hope something a bit better is possible. Don't forget, Ron is putting in £20m on top of what the consortium will spend so it should be possible.

 

[Whispering Bob]

Sorry if it's previously been mentioned but do we have the room to turn the pitch 90 degrees and look to completely renovate the ground? I know this is probably unaffordable but interested to know if this is possible.

Wasn't there a fella on that Yahoo Group (pre-SZ) who had this all spec'd-out?

 

[Sherif H]

Thats a decent capacity for a single tier. What current stands around the country would be of a similar size for comparison?

There are a few, but an older example is the East Stand at Carlisle - this is around 5,800, but likely based on slightly tighter dimensions than modern standards demand.

 

[Smiffy]

There are a few, but an older example is the East Stand at Carlisle - this is around 5,800, but likely based on slightly tighter dimensions than modern standards demand.

View attachment 29270

I was going to say Carlisle or perhaps Oxford?

 

[Sherif H]

Sorry, but to me this all sounds very 2nd rate.

We'll still have posts all over the West Stand that means the viewing won't have been improved all that much. We'll also still have next to no room at the back of the West Stand, and no way to walk round to the club shop.

Very underwhelming. Let's hope something a bit better is possible. Don't forget, Ron is putting in £20m on top of what the consortium will spend so it should be possible.

These are only musings on the seated accommodation. There would obviously be 'back-of-house' improvements such as concourse/access/egress improvements and upgraded food, beverage and toilet facilities. We are merely discussing the obvious changes at the moment.

 

[Sherif H]

I was going to say Carlisle or perhaps Oxford?

Worcester Warriors / Sixways is a good example with traditional boxes at an upper level...

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Worcester Warriors / Sixways is a good example with traditional boxes at an upper level...

View attachment 29271

Went to see my daughter’s boyfriend play football there against Worcester Raiders last season in the Hellenic League premier division.

Ironically Southend were playing at Solihull Moors at the same time and the game I was watching (Step 6?) was in a much nicer stadium!

 

[Sherif H]

Went to see my daughter’s boyfriend play football there against Worcester Raiders last season in the Hellenic League premier division.

Ironically Southend were playing at Solihull Moors at the same time and the game I was watching (Step 6?) was in a much nicer stadium!

Another rugby club that has bitten the dust. Not sure if/when they will make a return.

 

[Goodwin]

These are only musings on the seated accommodation. There would obviously be 'back-of-house' improvements such as concourse/access/egress improvements and upgraded food, beverage and toilet facilities. We are merely discussing the obvious changes at the moment.

Think we should look at the likes of Kings Lynn,Solihull moors and Barnet as similar catering options..

 

[JAL]

The 2 things that actually give me hope that the Roots Hall upgrade will be done is:

1. Ron is no longer going to be at the helm taking it forward - a property developer that fails at developing.

2. The council are the ones commenting on the situation and are the ones pushing for the plans to be submitted and will take care of them when they do.

We could see work being done in less than 2 years, or at the least 3.

 

[Crawliano]

Sorry, but to me this all sounds very 2nd rate.

We'll still have posts all over the West Stand that means the viewing won't have been improved all that much. We'll also still have next to no room at the back of the West Stand, and no way to walk round to the club shop.

Very underwhelming. Let's hope something a bit better is possible. Don't forget, Ron is putting in £20m on top of what the consortium will spend so it should be possible.

I'd sooner the need for a 10 minute walk around a stadium to get to a club shop once or twice a season than a 5 mile round walk from the town to a white elephant of a stadium

 

[Crawliano]

So, I've had a very crude play with scaling on my lunch hour....this is the result...

Move the pitch 5m toward the East - this improves the sightlines from the existing West Stand without touching anything.

North Stand re-developed to provide a mild uplift from circa 2k to 2.5k, and incoporating safe-standing.

East Stand rebuilt, with dimensions very crudely estimated to provide a capacity of around 5,500 and a couple of floors of mixed-use/hospitality space.

NE corner is optional, but might be more for architectural merit than any great increase in useful real estate.

View attachment 29264

NE Corner could be well used as a small seated area (ideal for clubs bringing 50 fans) with a TV studio lounge (similar to what's at Watford) behind that can be sold for the other 90% of the time it's not being used for broadcast