Quote ="Ginger" Quote ="amberavenger"From another forum - [urlhttps://www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php?/topic/344056-whats-going-on-at-odsal/&do=findComment&comment=4171765[/url This sums up my thoughts on Chalmers- Genuine apologies for in this instance resorting to hyperbole - I just couldn't be bothered repeating myself (My issue, not yours of course) He has chosen to walk away from a rubbish deal, yep that makes sense, I don't think anyone's arguing that. (I'll admit, I was a little confused by your first reply today, for the avoidance of doubt I'm not saying we should stay at Odsal..!). It's the whole "New Stadium coming in two years, or is it four, actually look over there, we're making a push for Super League, please buy a season ticket" without anything solid to back one iota of that up. Surely given the past decade the fans deseve some honesty if a decision of this magnitude is made. Considering how lightning quick Chalmers is to knock anyone who has a go at him (usually SL chairmen), his silence since Friday night's statement is quite ">deafening.'" I’d question the sanity of anyone that sides with the RFL in most arguments... especially in this one. Chalmers is against a rock and a hard place with regards the stadium, and he’s taken the only sensible decision he could. The statement by the RfL is petty, inconsistent and driven by short term self interest. But given the track record of the people running this sport, why would we expect anything ">else.'" You know it's entirely possible to think both Chalmers and the RFL are pretty reprehensible at the same time- if you'd clicked through to the larger post, you'd see that I'm hardly complementary about the RFLs vested interested in the case. In fact if you'd read my post at all you'd know I don't have an issue with moving the club away from Odsal. The only thing I agree with from the RFL is that they have called Chalmers's bluff that there will be a new stadium in the next few years because its an incredible statement to make without a shred of evidence. Its playing with the emotions of a fan base that could do without it - if Chalmers had any sort of clue what's gone on with the club he bought then you'd think he might know that.

Quote ="Ginger" Quote ="amberavenger"From another forum - [urlhttps://www.totalrl.com/forums/index.php?/topic/344056-whats-going-on-at-odsal/&do=findComment&comment=4171765[/url This sums up my thoughts on Chalmers- Genuine apologies for in this instance resorting to hyperbole - I just couldn't be bothered repeating myself (My issue, not yours of course) He has chosen to walk away from a rubbish deal, yep that makes sense, I don't think anyone's arguing that. (I'll admit, I was a little confused by your first reply today, for the avoidance of doubt I'm not saying we should stay at Odsal..!). It's the whole "New Stadium coming in two years, or is it four, actually look over there, we're making a push for Super League, please buy a season ticket" without anything solid to back one iota of that up. Surely given the past decade the fans deseve some honesty if a decision of this magnitude is made. Considering how lightning quick Chalmers is to knock anyone who has a go at him (usually SL chairmen), his silence since Friday night's statement is quite ">deafening.'" I’d question the sanity of anyone that sides with the RFL in most arguments... especially in this one. Chalmers is against a rock and a hard place with regards the stadium, and he’s taken the only sensible decision he could. The statement by the RfL is petty, inconsistent and driven by short term self interest. But given the track record of the people running this sport, why would we expect anything ">else.'" You know it's entirely possible to think both Chalmers and the RFL are pretty reprehensible at the same time- if you'd clicked through to the larger post, you'd see that I'm hardly complementary about the RFLs vested interested in the case. In fact if you'd read my post at all you'd know I don't have an issue with moving the club away from Odsal. The only thing I agree with from the RFL is that they have called Chalmers's bluff that there will be a new stadium in the next few years because its an incredible statement to make without a shred of evidence. Its playing with the emotions of a fan base that could do without it - if Chalmers had any sort of clue what's gone on with the club he bought then you'd think he might know that.

A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't it.

Quote ="Pumpetypump"Their suggestion is to dig up some of the terracing behind the posts (i.e. opposite the coral) to create room for track and pits. Still sounds to me that you'd need to take up part of the pitch again. And as much as I loved Derek Fox making use of our stupid corners, I'd vote no to that happening ">again.'" I'd second that, even though I have very fond memories of going to Odsal on Sunday mornings with my Dad and helping lay down the corners (not sure it would be allowed now to let a 10yr old help carrying heavy pallets loaded with turf). Roger Simpson was the groundsman at the time and rubbing shoulders with him like that used to blow my mind (I was a child afterall). Plus its not exactly like Stock Cars and Speedway are going to be packing in the crowds or bring a huge financial backer with them either. Take a look at the venues they use and you can see ther is even less money in their sports than there is in RL. Speedway have a national stadium built in Manchester but if you take a look at it, I doubt it would have ever come off had it not been for the adjoinging leisure facilities and 3G pitch (in the middle). I just cannot see a viable solution to the existing stadium and for me the solution lays with the land over the road (Richard Dunnes).

Quote ="Pumpetypump"Their suggestion is to dig up some of the terracing behind the posts (i.e. opposite the coral) to create room for track and pits. Still sounds to me that you'd need to take up part of the pitch again. And as much as I loved Derek Fox making use of our stupid corners, I'd vote no to that happening ">again.'" I'd second that, even though I have very fond memories of going to Odsal on Sunday mornings with my Dad and helping lay down the corners (not sure it would be allowed now to let a 10yr old help carrying heavy pallets loaded with turf). Roger Simpson was the groundsman at the time and rubbing shoulders with him like that used to blow my mind (I was a child afterall). Plus its not exactly like Stock Cars and Speedway are going to be packing in the crowds or bring a huge financial backer with them either. Take a look at the venues they use and you can see ther is even less money in their sports than there is in RL. Speedway have a national stadium built in Manchester but if you take a look at it, I doubt it would have ever come off had it not been for the adjoinging leisure facilities and 3G pitch (in the middle). I just cannot see a viable solution to the existing stadium and for me the solution lays with the land over the road (Richard Dunnes).

The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season?



My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an option.

Quote ="Highlander"The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season? My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an ">option.'" Problem with Horsfall is that its unlikely you would ever get a safety certificate to sign off on a decent capacity due to its loaction and objection from neighbours. This was one of the reasons the Bulls chose Dewsbury as a short term option (the other being to try and force the RFL/Councils hand). There is no reason why Horsfall couldn't be developed as a local sports hub that would be home to BPA and Bulls development academies (along with other benefitial public bookings) and a community stadium with a modest opening capacity (with room to expand if required) for the Bulls and BPA to share for their first teams. Take a look at the last council sports pitch audit and findings (2013) and you will find a bleak picture back then. If anything its got worse and the council have a duty to provide for their communities... I'd be surprised if much of the action points have actually been carried out.

Quote ="Highlander"The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season? My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an ">option.'" Problem with Horsfall is that its unlikely you would ever get a safety certificate to sign off on a decent capacity due to its loaction and objection from neighbours. This was one of the reasons the Bulls chose Dewsbury as a short term option (the other being to try and force the RFL/Councils hand). There is no reason why Horsfall couldn't be developed as a local sports hub that would be home to BPA and Bulls development academies (along with other benefitial public bookings) and a community stadium with a modest opening capacity (with room to expand if required) for the Bulls and BPA to share for their first teams. Take a look at the last council sports pitch audit and findings (2013) and you will find a bleak picture back then. If anything its got worse and the council have a duty to provide for their communities... I'd be surprised if much of the action points have actually been carried out.

Quote ="Pumpetypump"A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't ">it.'" When it's put like that.... icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" />

Quote ="Pumpetypump"A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't ">it.'" When it's put like that.... icon_lol.gif" alt="icon_lol.gif" title="Laughing" />