IF there is going to be another round of franchises, the RFL have got themselves in a right tangle, so much so that any team being removed would easily have recourse against them.
Hilton Park was a right dump but personally i would rather stand; so if it were a straight choice between being sat (as we were) at LSV or stood up at HP i'd stand.
I'll throw a few back at you, KC or Boulevard, JJB or Central Park, City of Salford Stadium or The Willows???
I'm not a luddite, but i love the mystique, years of history and outright quirkiness of the old grounds.
SL is a summer sport, and ever since its introduction the RFL have been trying to put us under cover after a 100 years in the elements. Its part of what makes our game the game it is and the game i love.
For me there is nowhere better than BV on a sunny day!!!!
Of course ill go to NM and embrace it but my heart will always hold BV dear.

The jury is still out Kinley.
KC over the Bouleverd, Central Park over the JJB (for atmosphere only though, the view is far better now, notwithstanding the fact that you could stand wherever you wanted) and we never got to Salfords new ground, so i'll let you know next season.
Warrington is another example, the new place does look a bit Lego like but its an excellent RL ground and certainly an improvement on Wilderspool.
Most of the new grounds are an improvement and we can learn from the likes of Warrington where they have a mix of seating and standing and personally I would rather stand and be able chat to fellow supporters etc, which is difficult in all seater stadia (apart from in the bar)

Whilst I understand your 'fears', I would reiterate that this has far more to do with delivering a business than anything else. NM offers a facility that will be far better utilised by our own Community groups, Dance teams etc - which all bring in revenue to the club - as well lending themselves out for rental to countless other bodies - even the RFL themselves - for training / corporate and social events. If we are to survive and thrive as a club - without a Sugar Daddy - then we are reliant upon this side of the business to make up the shortfall that ST's and gate receipts just can't provide.

Moving to NM is much more than just 'ticking a box', it is, and always was, envisaged as the total solution to our years of struggling.

This is 'essential', not a 'nice to have'!

Have to agree though - love BV on a sunny day - or a wet day for that matter!

The RLF may well relax the requirements on facilities to “fit for purpose” which is the sensible thing considering Bradford. We also have to factor in that come franchise decision time NM will give us extra brownie points in the RFLs eyes. Going up against Fax or Leigh and others with decent grounds it won’t be a negative. Going up against Cas it will be a positive. What I’m trying to say is that while we have a franchise system we’ll always have mud thrown at us for not providing on facilities when other clubs have gone to the trouble. That could ultimately cost us a place a top table.

^^^^This Newmarket is still a must for me..

Bigger bars it is then! !! Standing only of course!!!!

As much as I love the north stand (and the little one on the west terrace) a corrugated cover doesn't negate all our problems, yes we have plenty of temporary food and drink outlets but this doesn't make Belle vue fit for purpose, nor does it help the club in the quest to use it's facilities 6 or 7 days a week. NM is still the way forward.

In 2 years time, we could be playing out of the best RL facilities in West Yorkshire; who wouldn't want that?

I feel pretty relaxed about the finances - Mr Glover has proven himself a more than able RL administrator and with the involvement of people like Sir Rodders and the potential involvement of some big finanicial hitters, I'm confident that the business plan will stack up.

I'll miss BV, but NM is essential if WTW is to become a force in RL again; and that's aside from the wider benefits to the District.

The local feeling in Castleford is very anti-wakefield district wise. Cas folk consider themselves more nearer to Leeds than Wakey and geographically we are just on the boundary i.e Allerton Bywater has a LS post code. Other than sharing the same local government we have zero in common.

This is the problem in a nutshell, Cas folk don't like being part of the Wakefield district, i don't see that being part of Leeds would be any better.
Cas for independence!!!!!!

Cas to Leeds, 11.9 miles.
Cas to Wakey, 10 miles.
HTH

An issue many who would force a merger on the two (or three) clubs are unable to grasp. They may as well spilt the district East and West.

I agree about the atmosphere at the old grounds! the change in atmosphere at Belle Vue since the roofs went on has been astounding.

We'll always speculate about how great Belle Vue would be if we were to renovate rather than relocate, it's the same as speculating about how great the team would be if we hung on to our home produced players.

What if the new stadium was built with some sympathy toward that view, for example, what if there was a seated stand with 8 or 10 rows of terracing in front of it a la the East stand etc best of both worlds.

Interesting viewpoint. Maybe Leeds & Cas should merge......