Independent Rs Messageboard

[ESSEXURs]

Well folks it must be time for the annual discussion in respect of the redevelopment of HQ.
It is all quiet on the “Project Big Ben” front. Has its clapper fallen off?

As I can only see redevelopment by digging down unless our beloved local council assist us by giving us extra land
on the South Africa Road side which would certainly mean moving away for at least one season.

The area master plan curiously includes us in the plan so maybe discussions are ongoing down that
road. (no pun intended of course!)

Of course with our luck the long rumoured water course will be found or some ancient burial site underneath HQ to
scupper the plans.

Does anybody know any more on the subject as this regime seems to keep such things to themselves.

I suppose it is better than exciting us with the artists plans of a new stadium and then backtracking at a fast rate of knots.

It would be great to at least have more leg room, improved facilities and uninterrupted views. As I mentioned recently
an evening trip to my local Colchester Utd stadium provided all of those and they built a 10000+ stadium for £14m.

Of course us older codgers have at least experienced a new stadium being built but it was unfortunately not to modern
standards.

[steveqpr881]

Hard to see how we could any useable amount of extra space in S.A. Rd., unless the council closed it off completely
for redevelopment; which, let's face it, isn't going to happen.
Very little scope for expansion & sadly the Club has wasted 2 big chances over the years;
a) I believe the Club used to own most (if not all) Of the houses in Ellerslie Rd. & Loftus Rd., but sold them
when we were short of cash; now, they would cost £1million each (if not more), even if the owners would sell.
b) We had the chance to expand backwards at the School End, but didn't take it; now that ship has sailed.

Now, I recognise the shortcomings of LR, but just beware; I know plenty of fans of other Clubs that have moved
to bigger, more modern stadia and they all say the same thing - they wish they hadn't.
This applies to Reading, Arsenal, Coventry, Southampton, Man Citeh even.
Be careful what you wish for......

[Kerrins]

The blunt truth is nowadays Loftus Road is one of the most(if not the most) cramped uncomfortable and worst
viewing grounds in the Premier League and Championship.

Developement of the entire Loftus Rd location looks unlikely to me. A brand new purpose built stadium?
Forget that Linford Christie project for a kick off where then?

My own personal opinion is these newly built stadia provide comfort and a FULL VIEW of the pitch no matter
where you sit. In my mind nothing wrong with the current premises of Reading Arsenal Southampton Bolton etc.

Even the completely rebuilt grounds the likes of Preston and Blackburn have excellent facilitates.

Sadly the Old Oak common ship has long since departed our shores That would have been ideal

[ESSEXURs]

The second Park Royal Stadium built by GWR would have been the ideal ground adjoining the station and plenty
of land around it for expansion.

Unfortunately the First World War put paid to that as it was requisitioned by the Army and our nomadic journey continued.

The big problem with Loftus Rd is the lack of parking no matter what you incorporate in a redevelopment of the existing stadium.
Parking areas would need to be found in the immediate area with people being transported to the ground if too far away.

If the council do pull down White City Estate of course it would enable the moving of South African Rd away from the ground
area and the ground can shift over allowing the rebuilding of the Stan B stand as well as a new Main Stand.

[steveqpr881]

Kerrins, you ask where then?
Well, it won't be in W12, that's for sure.
Probably the nearest to west London we could afford would be well out to the west.