I think it's a little bit the other way round.

It was common knowledge that WMDC had committed £2m to Trinity's development (I seem to remember it as drawing a loan against a WMDC asset e.g. a land parcel, or similar).

When Fev and Cas, perhaps rightly, made a bit of a fuss (and they did, privately, to WMDC), the council have 2 options:

1 withdraw the offer

2 find a a way to make the same offer to all 3 clubs.

It's absolutely right that WMDC (and the local taxpayer), should see what it is they are getting fir their community for the £2m.

I’ve met both, often.

Ones a politician and the other was whatever Box was.

However, I always felt Jeffrey wanted to do something even as far back as 2008 and tbf it seems she has. I'd go as far as to say it was her vanity project like the Hepworth was to Box. She was the driving force behind Thornes until Box pulled the rug, It's not my job to defend her but I can only go on what I saw.

Being a protege means nothing in politics as you know, Major was a Thatcher protege but was probably the nearest this country has ever got to a centrist PM. Look at Russia, the leader after Stalin immediately denounced him and Niki was his right haunt man.

You just can’t judge, it’s in the doing for me.

The verdict will come this time next year when the bulk of the work should be done.

If all comes to pass it is as dboy says very much the other way around.

Just returned from Friday Lunch, Connor interview with big Dave and Lee Gaskell, followed after lunch by JM speaking mainly about the redevelopment. Still on for December 16 planning application, should be online for anyone wanting to watch. A decision on both applications expected same day, and if passed with a recommendation to proceed, there is a three week period when the SoS can intervene if necessary, that takes us to mid December. There will be further contracts discussions between Wakefield council, Trinity and the developers and no work on the plot 8 site until all contracts agreed and signed. The Monies raised by enabling fund and council grant, will be paid into a Council account JM estimates this will take a number of weeks therefore the East stand will still be in use February and March match days,, but we should expect bulldozers on-site by April, A 12 month build expected, so hopefully, the new stand ready by mid 2023. The west terrace is still being considered for redevelopment, but not in the immediate future. Obviously there’s no guarantees, but JM is confident this will now happen.

I hope I’ve got this all correct, but anyone who was at today’s lunch, please feel free to correct me.

Just one correction it will take us to mid January, not December. Otherwise a good review of JM comments.

Quite right WT, I thought we were still in November, god, how time flys

Time will tell. I don't think we could survive another let down.

Me neither, this is it.

Though I assume the 2 million is ours regardless of the rest?

Something I forgot to mention that JM spoke about when asked about the 4G pitch. He seemed a bit ambiguous in his reply, I got the feeling the decision between plastic and grass has not yet been finalised, but the pitch will only be sorted, after the East Stand/North Stand building work is completed.

Strange as that formed quite a big piece in the business case I thought. Grass is preferential to me but its also limiting, but that said I'd rather the cost go into the stands if it ever became an either or.

On one document (the statement of community involvement) in the resubmission pack it states due to the pandemic 4 things that have been scaled back due to covid/finances. This includes hybrid pitch now to be a 4G pitch. This may be why he didn’t fully commit to what the playing surface will be? Aswell as stating 400 covers in hospitality down to 300 covers, wrestle room now funded by the club, and gym facilities done at a later phase and when finding available

Yes, a lot has changed since the initial reports almost 2 years ago. JM mentioned a figure of £12 million at the Friday lunch, just shows how much building costs and materials have risen in 2 years.

Extract from Social Value Report produced by SLC, Consultants, February 2020
Grass Pitch with floodlights
Full size hybrid1 floodlit grass pitch to fully comply with super league requirements and be available outside of club use for community use.

Wrestle Room2
To meet club requirements and be available for limited community use by community clubs (martial arts, wrestling etcicon_wink.gif

Strength and Conditioning Gym Facility3
To meet club requirements and be available for membership and casual use, based community use facility offering a unique Strength and Conditioning offer.

Group Exercise
2 x Group exercise studios (30 class size each with the ability to create one large studio space)


Hospitality, Conferencing and Events
Ability to cater for up to 400 covers4 on a match day and to provide opportunities for

Since this report was produced, and in the light of the Covid pandemic and its impact on the availability of funding from WMDC, the ambition of the redevelopment has been scaled back as described in the notes below.
1 Now intended as 4G surface. Minimal impact of future uses
2 Now completed at the Club’s expense
3 May be delayed until subsequent phase, subject to determination of level of S106 funding
4 Revised to 300 covers

Thought trinity were paying for the pitch anyway?

They are from what I’m told but it’s all part of the same re-development.

The problem here is that JM is asked on numerous occasion to answer questions regarding the stadium and it’s tricky to be consistent as the points being answered vary so much.

Not sure where the hybrid to 4G came from.

What I think he’s saying is that the clubs ability to install the pitch will depend on revenue. I suspect he was talking just after the Omnicron version of Covid was announce and feared another lock down. Thankfully that fear now seems groundless.

It’s hard at the moment to be certain about anything which is why I personally haven’t bugged JM or any of my other contacts. Let’s just hope planning actually happens on the 16th and gets past.

Then I think is the time for more detailed questions and replies.