New Kop

[rachyblade]

Has anyone heard anything as to when the work will begin? It mentioned in the star later this season.

Work to transform The Kop could begin later this season if, as Blackwell hopes, United are in top six contention

I just wondered where we will all be moved to if thats the case. Surely if they plan to start before the end of the season us season tickets should of been pre warned that we might be moved.

 

[MAQ]

Has anyone heard anything as to when the work will begin? It mentioned in the star later this season.



I just wondered where we will all be moved to if thats the case. Surely if they plan to start before the end of the season us season tickets should of been pre warned that we might be moved.

i currently have our marketing department chasing this down to find out where things stand. and if our company can provide a price for this. so when i learn more i can pass this on.

In terms of sequencing the works, and as discussed with foxy and linz at the Q&A, they should be able to start on the day after the last home match and have sufficient donw to allow the stand to open for the following season. However its more likely that they will start certain works before then that will gain them ground and not disrupt the fans in the kop.

 

[rachyblade]

Thanks MAQ, would this work be like taking the roof off? that was another rumour I heard.

I don't want to be sitting in rain in the winter

 

[Mad Mick]

Take yer brolly

 

[MAQ]

Thanks MAQ, would this work be like taking the roof off? that was another rumour I heard.

I don't want to be sitting in rain in the winter

The roof is an integral part of the build and for me has to be the main consideration for the programming of the works. he roof could either be removed first or last depending on the method in which the construction will happen, and also if the new stand will be tied into the existing (i.e extending the kop) or if it will be demolished completely to provide a fully new stand.

The main consideration is exactly what you have said there rachy. If the roof comes off first, and the fans are subject to a wet winter without cover, this will seriously effect the attendences and therefore the income to the club.

Not knowing the status of the build its difficult to say, however if at this current time there is no contractor on board, and the documents are still being produced ready for the tender period (Which is where i come in) then any movement is way off, and as such i would be surprised to see anything before the latter end of the season if at all.

 

[Sensiblade]

McCabe said something about this in his Fans meeting a few weeks back.

The decision was taken, a business decision but still a gamble, but look, we should get promoted back to the Premiership, we've got a hell of a chance, let's get on with this stand. And that's how we made that decision. I'm saying, as I talk to you now, I've not told my colleagues this but, if we're there or thereabouts come January, I'd expect us to start to work towards that Kop as soon as possible. We'd phase the works, and those who sit on the Kop may find themselves for a good period of time that they need an umbrella, because the roof's had to come off, we'd phase the works and try and get it built and make the judgment that we're getting back to the Premiership.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

The one thing that worries me slightly about the 'new' Kop is that it seems from the plans to be an extension of the existing stand, and given that currently it seems to be one of the slowest stands to empty in the country what will it be like on occassions where there an extra 4000 fans to get out?

 

[MAQ]

The one thing that worries me slightly about the 'new' Kop is that it seems from the plans to be an extension of the existing stand, and given that currently it seems to be one of the slowest stands to empty in the country what will it be like on occassions where there an extra 4000 fans to get out?

the only way to confirm if this is to be an extension or a new stand is to compare the Sightline drawings. The new sightline drawings are available however without the originals its impossible to tell.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

I thought that when the plans were announced that it was said they would be extending the rear of the Kop and adding a new concourse there with improved facilities. Maybe Jon Bon can confirm or deny he seems to have always had an insight into the developments at the Lane, seem to remember him posting info and images of the Westfield corner before they appeared elsewhere.

 

[MAQ]

I thought that when the plans were announced that it was said they would be extending the rear of the Kop and adding a new concourse there with improved facilities. Maybe Jon Bon can confirm or deny he seems to have always had an insight into the developments at the Lane, seem to remember him posting info and images of the Westfield corner before they appeared elsewhere.

I agree it is more likely that the kop will be extended rather than rebuilt, but this is all speculation than anything else. Without the full details the wording of the statement/report can be misinterpreted. But i completely agree. Financially it makes more sense to extend if the existing structure is

a) structurally sound
b) meets the current regulations (As these will have changed since it was originally built
c) the new section can be tied into the existing without causing structural damage to the original
d) the two materials can be used together with differential settlement causing further issues upon completeion

ic ould go on, but i think ive made the point. I fully expect it to be extended and as such i expect that the new concourse and the additional terracing to be inplace before they break through onto the kop and make the connections.

 

[The Fox]

My worry about the New Kop roof is that it will further reduce the atmosphere due to being so far above the middle and lower sections.

The old 2 tier Kop roof meant that from the top you couldn't acyually see the BLUT at all. It was also dark under there which somehow added to the experience.

I know things move on rather than backwards but i always think we lost something when the new roof went up.( I sound old ! oh dear)

 

[beightonblade]

Hear the roof could be off the kop in January !

 

[MAQ]

Hear the roof could be off the kop in January !

Unlikely!!

 

[Robbie]

A concern would be emptying the ground whilst these developments are continued.

Ie, once they start work on the back of the KOP - the only exit would be the front of the stand? Now as mentioned by an earlier poster it takes long enough to clear anyways....

Could there be a potential health and safety issue to be dealt with?

Also from the pictures on display, it looks certainly like an extension rather than a re-build.... also it would be a lot more cost effective.

 

[Jon Bon]

The development will be an extension to the existing kop, which is a bit of a shame as the current rake is insufficiant. It's constant rather than increasing which is why there are so many problems with people standing and blocking the view of folks 3 or 4 rows behind. Next time you're at the ground, compare the rake to that of the south stand and you'll see what I mean. On the south stand, the rake increases - gets steeper - from about 1/3 of the way up.

Anyway, click this link to compare the existing and proposed kop to yout hearts content...

http://planningdocs.sheffield.gov.uk/WAM/findCaseFile.do?action=show&appName=planning&appNumber=09/00602/FUL

 

[Worksop II]

If you look at the PROPOSED KOP PLANS, ELEVATIONS & VISUALS

It shows the row spacing and legroom, 850mm from your seat to the back of the seat in front, which is very generous.

I wonder of that applies to the whole of the Kop or just the Extension being planned

 

[Sensiblade]

Hear the roof could be off the kop in January !

Didn't i say that earlier in the thread?

 

[SwissBlade]

A concern would be emptying the ground whilst these developments are continued.

Ie, once they start work on the back of the KOP - the only exit would be the front of the stand? Now as mentioned by an earlier poster it takes long enough to clear anyways....

Could there be a potential health and safety issue to be dealt with?

Also from the pictures on display, it looks certainly like an extension rather than a re-build.... also it would be a lot more cost effective.

Yes there'll be a H&S issue to deal with, but we'll only get the permission to open the stand during the works if Safety criteria are met.

I actually think that the Kop clears pretty quickly.

The extension will make it huge, but these will all be at the back which may make it longer to get out from further up the kop

 

[beightonblade]

Didn't i say that earlier in the thread?

I know sumbody did !

 

[Foxy]

I know sumbody did !

Mr McCabe mentioned it before the lot of ya

I might source some site branded brollys in time

 

[beightonblade]

Mr McCabe mentioned it before the lot of ya

I might source some site branded brollys in time

That was if Foxy ........ it was McCabe ......just after he'd announced he'd bought that brolly company !