pinky wrote: Hard to judge based on the pictures, but looks like the doggy side is the existing stand but extended more or less the length of the pitch. The enclosed part stays the same but the new extensions seem to be the same depth. This is impossible as the existing main stand is on part of the site that kind of juts out into The Green. The houses behind the GT stand are closer to the track than the ones behind the main stand so couldn't really do that without buying them. I'm probably just misinterpreting the picture and in any case it's just an artist's impression.
It does look like the space between the main stand terrace and the track is gone and the terrace/seats are at a gentler pitch going all the way to the track (which would be nice) but again I could be reading too much into the picture.

Just took another look at that area of the visualisation. It seems the back line of the current main stand will probably be extended in line with the site boundary line. The two extended areas both seem rather shallower than the stand itself. You can see the back line of the rood on the College Rd side seems to angle back in.

It may be a visualisation of what they want, but it will have been generated from the plans as they currently are, so I'd expect it to reflect the intended design (as it stands at this stage).

I'm sure we'll all be on tenterhooks until we get the full detail of the plan, but it all looks great from where I'm standing! (usually in the pissing rain at the College Rd end...)

Just got an email thanking me for participating in the stadium composition survey with a few bits of info about the redevelopment an email address for initial thoughts(sportsground.redevelopment@connachtrugby.ie).

Also says that there will be drop-in sessions organised for the next few weeks for people to take a look at the plans so we'll need a volunteer to head in and get us some more info!

ConnachtCows wrote: As for the main stand, while it seems unlikely, and expensive, it would great if they knocked it, flattened the ground and brought it closer to the pitch, at the right level, so that the pitch is on the same level as the stand. Haven't been in the main stand in years, but my memory tells me that if you are at the bottom of the main stand, then your shoulders are at pitch height

Hard to judge based on the pictures, but looks like the doggy side is the existing stand but extended more or less the length of the pitch. The enclosed part stays the same but the new extensions seem to be the same depth. This is impossible as the existing main stand is on part of the site that kind of juts out into The Green. The houses behind the GT stand are closer to the track than the ones behind the main stand so couldn't really do that without buying them. I'm probably just misinterpreting the picture and in any case it's just an artist's impression.
It does look like the space between the main stand terrace and the track is gone and the terrace/seats are at a gentler pitch going all the way to the track (which would be nice) but again I could be reading too much into the picture.
To be honest I wouldn't be hugely surprised if that side of it got kicked down the road a bit. Seems like a fair bit of change for minimal gain. I'd be reasonably happy if just the bits on our side got done.

sligsup wrote:

connachta wrote:

pinky wrote: connachta, can I have the phone number of your builder?

I'm just coming by myself with trowel and shovel and it's done within 2 months :woohoo:

More seriously, the Clan side may be easier to remove and rebuild. We might well do that during summertime, having a proper 6-7K capiticity for the beginning of the season just on that side+behind the posts, and close the current main stand during extra-work on it,

We are really not interested what you get up to in your spare time Connachta - I know that the announcement excited us all to different levels but this is slight to graphic and i will be reporting you to the mods :woohoo:

I've kinda predicted this kind of mis-interpretations, perverting my pure and innocent sentence.

I do hope, that once the development is actually completed there are different options for Season Tickets in the Clan Stand
* Reserved Seating
* Free Seating/Standing
* Standing

Keep a chunk of seats for people who want the same seat every week, and then have a large open section, where you can sit in any seat if you have the right ticket, and then a standing only ticket for people who prefer not to sit down.

I know at the moment, I enjoy standing, but having the option to sit if I liked would be nice too

Someone like my Dad is happy standing every week, but I'm pretty certain, that if he could have the same seat every week amongst his friends, he would happily take that option.
A family section is important too

As for the main stand, while it seems unlikely, and expensive, it would great if they knocked it, flattened the ground and brought it closer to the pitch, at the right level, so that the pitch is on the same level as the stand. Haven't been in the main stand in years, but my memory tells me that if you are at the bottom of the main stand, then your shoulders are at pitch height

connachta wrote:

pinky wrote: connachta, can I have the phone number of your builder?

I'm just coming by myself with trowel and shovel and it's done within 2 months :woohoo:

More seriously, the Clan side may be easier to remove and rebuild. We might well do that during summertime, having a proper 6-7K capiticity for the beginning of the season just on that side+behind the posts, and close the current main stand during extra-work on it,

We are really not interested what you get up to in your spare time Connachta - I know that the announcement excited us all to different levels but this is slight to graphic and i will be reporting you to the mods :woohoo:

pinky wrote: connachta, can I have the phone number of your builder?

I'm just coming by myself with trowel and shovel and it's done within 2 months :woohoo:

More seriously, the Clan side may be easier to remove and rebuild. We might well do that during summertime, having a proper 6-7K capiticity for the beginning of the season just on that side+behind the posts, and close the current main stand during extra-work on it, don't you think?

Potentially exciting news but very early days yet. Planning for this could become a nightmare. The planning office is a minefield depends how busy they are in terms of how difficult they make things for you. Need our plans to be properly done including traffic management plans and have politicians on board to move it along.

Id hope we've got some sort of provisional nod on funding and haven't jumped the gun in that regard.

For me it's about the right size for what we need. Our attendances in the seasons pre clan stand were maybe 25-30% of now. I think while there is a natural limit to our growth the lack of seating facilities puts older people off and for families facilities aren't great. The Clan has a good atmosphere but in terms of viewing a game it's not the best and entry and exit are poor.

For what we are charging we need to up our game in terms of facilities. Would be a huge step forward to see this come to fruition.

salmson wrote: Again, not sure where people are getting a 4G pitch from

www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2018/1007/1001602...op-the-sportsground/

"The new pitch will be an all weather surface."

No details, so people are just assuming a 4g or similar.

connachta, can I have the phone number of your builder?

4 months to build from May to August. If we need a 5th, and obtain a favorable "away" schedule in Septembre, It would mean 2 games max in Athlone/Terryland Park/WhynotPearseStadium with special authorisation. Could be worse.

salmson wrote: - could easily have extra temporary seating/terracing installed either end to bring up to 15K for a HEC quarter final (hey, I can dream)

I suspect the 12k figure includes temporary additional terracing at the pitch ends already. 8500-900 between the two stands seems a more likely figure given the minimal changes to the existing main stand that seem to be shown.

salmson wrote: Again, not sure where people are getting a 4G pitch or removal of clan standing area from.

Well, I'm interpreting the picture on the Connacht website to mean that the bit with Connacht written across it is seating, and that any terrace is more exposed than that. If that is steps, happy days.

Anyway, good to get our preferences out there, we know CR check this site religiously

Again, not sure where people are getting a 4G pitch or removal of clan standing area from. There's no mention of a plastic pitch anywhere except on this forum; the Connacht statement references terracing on all four sides and the stadium mockup/renders show the same.

"In terms of the layout of the new development, it found that the preference of most spectators is to watch games from the sides of the pitch, in covered stands with a mixture of seating and terracing."

To my mind it's pretty much perfect:
- standing all four sides for atmosphere
- proper covered seating for families, fans of a certain age, and those with special needs
- proper premier/hospitality to bring in cash
- no payoff to the dogs
- state of the art development that doesn't sacrifice any of the elements that make the Sportsground a horrible place for away teams (we've kept The Wind Tunnel for you, Leinster)
- could easily have extra temporary seating/terracing installed either end to bring up to 15K for a HEC quarter final (hey, I can dream)

As a clan season ticket holder I would like an option to stay in a terrace.
If the option is not there I would take a seat, but I think loosing the terrace will dilute the crowd asthmophere. All away management seems to mentioned the clan is post match interviews .

The 4g pitch.
I would not be a big fan. I was 19 stone and had to retire from national league basketball due the pressure on my knees at 28.

I played Jnr rugby until 38. No problems with my knees at all.
Played 5 a side after 38, I lasted a year knee problems came back again.

I know technology would have improved over the last 5 years. I think bigger men will struggle with their joints.

Class. That picture is like they sneaked into my brain while I was asleep and drew what I was thinking. Then they added a high performance centre I didn't even know I was dreaming about.
Of course I am now inevitably condemned to nightmares about delays, cost overruns, objections, debt, the occupants of the cemetery using the HPC for nocturnal ghost rugby, etc.