The new extension will provide more seats for families, elderly, disabled of Darlo and makes the ground look a little less tinpot. I suppose some of it may have to be allocated to away support, for segregated games. Those fans who cant handle the ground level "view" now have an option with a side on view. I suppose next building priority would be some modest side terrace, although a match day bar would be a good idea.

Great to see the stand actually looks like a stand and not so much a bike shed now.

Its incredible what a transformation to the aesthetics of the ground the extension to the stand makes. The two sections together look great and improve the look of the ground.

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I didn't like the look of the first stand, but have to agree that the additional stand has transformed it's appearance, as it now looks like a proper stand.

Certainly makes the stand look a lot better but most of all improves the seating opportunity.

Not expected to be in use for Kidderminster game due to further work and paving required etc.

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I’ve somewhat lost track of seats, stands, ground grading requirements etc, so forgive the simple question: is this stand, once finished, all that’s needed to make BM play-off/promotion compliant?

Yes it will.

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Hope they can remove the barrier behind the hard standing at the West End, so that we can use the grass bank for the Kidderminster game. I think the barrier was in place, to allow heavy equipment to get round for the construction of the new stand.

Carrier pipe under the pitch was supposed to supply water for future toilets, internet, power etc.
Balcony seems to be the best viewing position for filming and commentary. Also better for displaying ground advertising signs on media, which would improves sales and rates.

yes.

Great to see the new stand already has a full row of sponsorship hoardings!

One space left but thats already spoken for.

wonder what the potential cost to carry the stand on all the way across that side - it will make the ground so much better.

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The pipe says we can't, unless we move it at over £1m+

Problem we have now is between spending further cash on a ground we may not stay at or hang fire until that's sorted.

They are working on plans/pricing ideas around other changes but a big decision need to spend more money if not necessary if you believe the sports-hub may take off.

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The ground is good enough for the next level so for
Me we should focus on putting our house in order so that we can have a tilt at the play offs next year and possibly try for the conference the year after

Ground isn't good enough for the next level yet, presume you meant to be promoted to that level. It needs a number of things to be at Grade A including 2 further turnstiles, another 700 or so on the capacity and a number of other items.

However we would have until March 31st of that season for these items and further funding from the FSIF.

The club and DFCSG are working on a plan for these but the decision to go ahead will have to wait a while.

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That extension makes such a difference. It actually looks like a proper stand, not a bus shelter as it did before.

Got to agree it looks superb and hopefully it'll be open for the next home game.

what is the capcity of bm now the stand is complete

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There's 588 seats so presumably we're still at 3,000?

Talk of bringing the seats over from Bishop. That would further improve the sight lines for spectators.

The capacity was 3,299 before the extra seats were fitted. And 3,000 segregated.

I'd guess capacity may be around 100 higher now but will we even get it re-evaluated?

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Been ruled out, hasn't it? Unless the powers that be are now having a rethink.

Would be the easiest thing all around, and all movable if the sports village ever materialises.

Depending on costs obviously and what the future holds but could be a waste of money.

The club are looking into what we need to get to Category A but I can't see us spending anything for a little while now anyhow. We have 5 home games left this season with 5 and half months until a new season starts, we haven't worked out the take up of the new seats as yet.

So many variables to take into account currently, the NDA signed on the sports hub, which division we will be in (should be NLN really), the fact that any grants are not available unless we get promoted to NL, how much more currently the fans/owners can afford after quarter of a million this year.

I would say a summer of taking stock of where we are, although I would love to see some figures around doing something with the open end to see if it's worth it to improve the ground further.

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Depending on costs obviously and what the future holds but could be a waste of money.

The club are looking into what we need to get to Category A but I can't see us spending anything for a little while now anyhow. We have 5 home games left this season with 5 and half months until a new season starts, we haven't worked out the take up of the new seats as yet.

So many variables to take into account currently, the NDA signed on the sports hub, which division we will be in (should be NLN really), the fact that any grants are not available unless we get promoted to NL, how much more currently the fans/owners can afford after quarter of a million this year.
May,June,July and half of August till the new season starts.Dont think that’s five and a half months Les. :problem

Yep but we haven't got through Mar & April yet, so with only a few games left this season we are 5 and 1/2 months away from a new season starting.

Basically the club is in no rush to do anything currently and certainly wouldn't see any return for some time.

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I thought it had been completely ruled out? Case closed, we're leaving them. Although i realise the board could have a change of heart with these things. Thing is, if they're saying the stuff we have at BM now is movable should a sports hub happen, the argument that it isn't financially sensible to move those stands at Bishop does look a little tenuous.

The original plan was to move them and put a roof over them, wasn't it? I still don't quite get how it's cheaper to buy a new set and get them delivered than pay some workmen to take those ones apart and move them a few miles to BM and reassemble them. I suspect the truth of the matter is that perhaps it would be trickier than anticipated / costly to put a roof over them, and as they don't count for a lot other than if they have a roof, that was why they were abandoned.

That said, there has to be a case for them being utilised for the improved views they'd offer at Blackwell alone. It was never a problem at HP like it is here.

It'd be nice to have a period of time off from desperately having to put lumps of cash in to the club. Presuming we don't miraculously go on a ridiculous winning run and get promoted this season, the earliest we will need to do anything else at BM (from a ground grading perspective anyway) will be March 2020. And while more elevated viewing options would be more than nice, with crowds around 1500ish there isn't a desperate need for more at this point in time now we've got the extra seats in.

Taking a bit of time off from developing BM would allow us to focus on other areas of the club which need developing, and would also allow us to work out the best way to get Cat A status (and beyond - I'm still personally uncomfortable with the prospect of us spending serious cash on BM when I can't see how it is compatible with a long term aim/goal/dream of a FL place). And it would allow us to see what happens with the sports hub proposal.

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Not sure if it’s been asked before, but as a temporary structure would it be allowed to place those seats from Bishop Auckland over the position of the water pipe? If so, even without a roof, would provide better viewing options even without the new sports village conundrum


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