It's fantastic to see isn't it?! I'm 49 and i'd given up hope of a new stadium or any serious redevelopment of the ground, can't wait to see it finished in the flesh.

Being an obsessive, the moment I heard we were getting a new pitch I read up on the subject.



So...



4G



PROS: You can't compare the 4G pitch we were looking at with the 3G pitch at Widnes. The technology at Widnes is ancient by todays standards. IMHO the players would have been OK on a 4G pitch. The pitch itself would have been maintenance free and almost unlimited in use.



CONS: Still not a grass pitch however you view it.



HYBRID



PROS: You have to view Hybrid pitches as a system, rather than just a harder wearing form of grass. The surface itself is only part of it. The mesh and the twined plastic grass adds strength and reduced scuffs and divots to virtually nil. However this is partly due to the fact that the underground drainage never allows the pitch to become heavy or waterlogged. Obviously in winter there is a limit with heavy rains, but it still should not cut up too badly. Like wise the computer controlled under pitch sprinkles never allow the pitch to dry out either. Meaning that the pitch is in an optimum state all year around.



CONS: Unlike 4G there are limits on usability. Probably ten hours heavy use a week in winter, but more like thirty hours plus in summer. iT IS ALSO not maintenance free.



FWIW, I have a theory, and it really is just a theory, as to why we went with Hybrid, even though on the face of it 4G offers more revenue.



The latest 4G pitches are not recognised by the FA or the RFL for that matter, not yet anyway. Even then most clubs of any stature still prefer grass. I believe that this time next year a football team will be tenants at BV. I also believe they will be paying far more in rent than we would ever get from renting out a 4G pitch. They will be based in Wakefield so will fit the community criteria. We could also rent out to Premiership clubs who wish to play Reserve games. at BV, as Leeds used to.They will also allow us to access FA grants with a bit of luck. I also believe that we may also attract other sports in summer, perhaps an American football team?



Whatever, I think long term, staying 98% natural will pay greater dividends, we shall see.

It's 2,600 on the last plans I saw, but over to Dunkirk as it may have changed.

2507 I believe. The confusion may come with the capacity of the function room. Unless more seating has been added.





As an aside, when I went to the stadium recently there is some paving outside the cats/shop area in front of the south/ south east boxes too that was all uneven and cracked. Is there any plans (while builders are on site

) to remove them and possibly level off that surface. Seem a shame if when having the car park done etc we can’t just get that area cleaned up and flags removed.



Any idea on that?

Nope, sorry I don't.

Quote vastman="vastman"It's 2,600 on the last plans I saw, but over to Dunkirk as it may have changed.'" I’ve just had a look at the last set of plans submitted 27th July 2022. And it shows. Approx Capacities GA. 2266 Club Lounge. 220. Media 24 Coaches. 14 Directors. 52. Players. 24. Approx Capacity 2600. Another thing worth pointing out is the height of the Stand. From the recent photos posted on here, some people may think the roof covering goes on top of the white vertical poles (triangular shaped). The plans shows the roof cover is at the base of those poles. My guess is the white poles will carry support struts for the roof. Sorry I can’t transfer the drawings onto here, but you can click onto the link and see everything you need. https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/onlin ... ab=summary

Quote vastman="vastman"It's 2,600 on the last plans I saw, but over to Dunkirk as it may have changed.'" I’ve just had a look at the last set of plans submitted 27th July 2022. And it shows. Approx Capacities GA. 2266 Club Lounge. 220. Media 24 Coaches. 14 Directors. 52. Players. 24. Approx Capacity 2600. Another thing worth pointing out is the height of the Stand. From the recent photos posted on here, some people may think the roof covering goes on top of the white vertical poles (triangular shaped). The plans shows the roof cover is at the base of those poles. My guess is the white poles will carry support struts for the roof. Sorry I can’t transfer the drawings onto here, but you can click onto the link and see everything you need. https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/onlin ... ab=summary

Quote Dunkirk Spirit="Dunkirk Spirit"I’ve just had a look at the last set of plans submitted 27th July 2022. And it shows. Approx Capacities GA. 2266 Club Lounge. 220. Media 24 Coaches. 14 Directors. 52. Players. 24. Approx Capacity 2600. Another thing worth pointing out is the height of the Stand. From the recent photos posted on here, some people may think the roof covering goes on top of the white vertical poles (triangular shaped). The plans shows the roof cover is at the base of those poles. My guess is the white poles will carry support struts for the roof. Sorry I can’t transfer the drawings onto here, but you can click onto the link and see everything you need. https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/onlin ... ab=summary'" You are correct, they are the cantilever struts. All the same the roof line, pitch facing, will still be a fair bit higher than the North stand, remember the roof pitches upwards at the front.

Quote Dunkirk Spirit="Dunkirk Spirit"I’ve just had a look at the last set of plans submitted 27th July 2022. And it shows. Approx Capacities GA. 2266 Club Lounge. 220. Media 24 Coaches. 14 Directors. 52. Players. 24. Approx Capacity 2600. Another thing worth pointing out is the height of the Stand. From the recent photos posted on here, some people may think the roof covering goes on top of the white vertical poles (triangular shaped). The plans shows the roof cover is at the base of those poles. My guess is the white poles will carry support struts for the roof. Sorry I can’t transfer the drawings onto here, but you can click onto the link and see everything you need. https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/onlin ... ab=summary'" You are correct, they are the cantilever struts. All the same the roof line, pitch facing, will still be a fair bit higher than the North stand, remember the roof pitches upwards at the front.

Stadium is looking great but any body know if there is going to be new toilets in different parts of the ground

The only new toilets I’m aware of are on the ground floor of the new stand. Male and female toilets at both North and South ends of the stand along with refreshments kiosk. Regarding new toilets within the ground, this was one of the questions Vasty was to ask JM a few weeks ago when they met up at BV. I can’t remember if there was a reply on here, perhaps Vasty can answer your question.

Thanks Dunkirk Spirit

Yes, I raised the question of toilets on the North stand with Vasty. I wish that the club would hurry up with an answer, cos I'm chuffin busting!

This photo shows that the East Stand steelwork has reached the halfway stage. It’s possible to judge this because the

FOR REF: PROPOSED EAST STAND - ELEVATION - P2. Plans on the link I posted on this topic tonight, shows there are 14 of the white post on the full length. This photo shows the 7th post being placed into position.

Looks like by end of next week it will be almost done! That’s some speed for sure.



It looks a little smaller in height than I expected but I’m sure once it’s done it will look more filled out and be an excellent facility.



Does anyone know how the north stand works are getting on or if they have started?

It’s exciting to think that about another week and the body of the steelwork will be in place… obviously the canopy needs fitting (which I think will lift the front on height a little… )



Would still like more pictures though … surely the club are documenting the process for posterity!?

I’ll be honest I don’t think I did. I had a list but I did get a bit side tracked.



However from what I know, they will have to put some kind of facility in place. The law demands disabled facilities for a start.



JM was going to show me the full plans but we ran out of time. These apparently have detail on that those on the portal don’t. This is because they are replacing an existing structure and don’t require permission.



I’d assume a toilet block for the north-east corner was on them. But in all honesty I didn’t see them.



I’ll contact JM and ask as soon as possible.

You are the only person to say that, everyone else, myself included seem to think the opposite. Oh well.

If you look at Chris Kamara’s video and follow the roof line round you’ll see that the East stand is considerably higher than the North stand roof.

Double post

Too busy looking at the steelwork I never noticed the “Lawnmower man” cutting the grass, amazing how well it’s growing if it needs cutting this time of year.either that or Banksy been at the ground with a can of black spray paint

Regarding the grass. I'm finding that the section of the old pitch I took is growing 3 or 4 times faster than the rest of the lawn I planted it in. Weird.

Mines growing really well too. I wonder why.

Mine is the same.



Noticed when I dug it up the soil was very sandy.



May be a case that putting it in a better soil environment has seen it thrive.

The toilets aren't open yet though so if you’re desperate you’ll have to hold it for a while

Been past this morning in the car the steel erectors were on site, the middle section is looking good and stands much further back into the carpark than the section adjacent to the North Stand, its starting to really take shape.