I guess that kind of leaves the gym facilities for players which he highlighted a few weeks ago. Very interested to see how he solves this. I think someone said he was seeking help or support from the council with this.

I'll check what I can share as some of the things talked about were just updates on things we know.

One thing that did amaze me was the improvements in the interior of the stand.
The away dressing rooms are pretty ok to be honest considering how badly some grounds cater for the away team, but the home dressing rooms are outstanding.
They've clearly had the fitters from the kitchen side in there.
There are a couple of bits that still have breeds blocks exposed which they said they wanted to tidy up but they must be up with the best in Super League.

I'm sure it makes a difference to the players generally but Craig Barras was saying the word is getting round and players are looking to come here rather than choosing it as a last resort
The rehab room is even better.

That’s great and let’s not forget the players lounge too and general sprucing up of the areas. When the LED boards go in too it’s going to improve the overall experience and offer extra value to sponsors if we get into SL too. It’s quite remarkable what’s been done in 12 months if you stop to list things.

Improve the gym and training facilities and the players will be sorted across the board.

I’m excited to see what big plans happen in the off season. Truly remarkable.

Remarkable is exactly the right word.
Previous guys did what they could do in their budget but it's actually quite hard to think of where we could go. I'm so used to watching a team and stadium on a restricted budget it's ridiculous where we are now.

They did say they take feedback seriously and had a bit of chat about ideas for stadium but said they'll do that more formally for next meeting so I'll gather everyone's thoughts nearer the time and share them at the meeting

I didn't know Craig Barrass before the meeting.
He's the new CEO and Matt's brother in law.
He hasn't worked at the kitchen business before and was a senior project and product manager in telecom industry.

I was quite impressed with his knowledge of IMG and I was intending to be hard to impress.

HARD to impress, I now get why you selected that particular avatar.

It all sounds very promising, exciting times.

I doubt it, they moved to make way for the Sportsman team I think?

Be a terrible idea, showing the worst part of the stadium for 95% of the game.

Yeah I’m interested in that. I didn’t have any spare cash last year and couldn’t buy in. Wasn’t a who’s in charge issue. I can now and would like to.

If the club did a second share issue it might work well if they tagged it to a specific project - ie the gym.

Might be a million reasons why this wouldn’t work but just asking.

Yes definitely. I wonder where Sky will have their main angle and if that could prompt some world on the west terracing.

As I said above, they are currently working on the platform for the media area.

IMG has a criteria for TV Gantry (assuming this is the Camera position) has to be 15m long by 2m deep, covered and power supply. The only position this can be is above the screening on the west stand (albeit may not currently be covered), which helps as LED boards are not required where there's a break for the dugouts opposite TV Cameras (as per the handbook guidance) so could save a few quid on the boards

That’s good, sorry must’ve missed that.

Wasn't meaning to be stroppy in my answer.
I noticed they were doing something to the platform at the game and Matt mentioned it too.
It seems a minor thing in the scheme of things but that platform is part of the stadium requirements for IMG so if there is any doubt about anything they probably need to be straight on it.
We'll have Sky up there next year so more eyes on it.

No worries, I didn’t take it as being stroppy.

Although minor it needs to be right so we aren’t dropping points so I’m glad he’s leaving no stone unturned so we don’t slip up.


Still very curious what he will do with the west.

I think the best use would be a full length standing stand with an integrated bar/food facility on the halfway line ground floor. Toilet facilities either end.

Access steps up to a second floor with 5 x small adjacent conference rooms that have a balcony with seats to walk on to and enjoy the game. Maybe 50-100 on top tier as away hospitality at a premium.

The 5 x walls would be foldeable or able to open up to offer a further even room for hire on events too so it could generate out of match day income with the new events team but for small - mid size events (50-100) or business meetings for local council/businesses.

It doesn’t need to be top spec either.

As for the gym. There is a building in south west corner and plenty of space to build there. Could this area be utilised to build a gym or player performance area? I’m not sure what that building is for.

Just as an aside also…. And this is only because I thought that Ellis was talking to council to look for land for a training/performance centre.

The Wakefield bus depot not far from ground is up for sale with it needing demolishing. Could this be the perfect size for a training centre and maybe small training pitch. Maybe the cost would just rule that out.

Otherwise there’s loads of plots for sale on Niel fox way. I don’t know if a deal could be done to use or buy some land there for a training facility.

Maybe the above two are unrealistic financially and it wouldn’t surprise me. I’m just running things through in my head.

I like that plan for West.

Can't remember what that building is but I remember someone on here saying it was important.

The building in the SW corner were toilets at one time then the brewery for craft beers more recently, but that was six or seven years since ish

Which could mean that space a building could be utilised and might be the best place for a gym/player facilities perhaps.

I was thinking a bit about it this afternoon. Would have the basic facilities and refreshments and offer outside earning potential as another space for events/corporate.

I think you’d probably increase capacity too by 500 or so by clearing the boxes, having new terracing etc.

Probably could have a media box in the middle for sky or another floor up a gantry.

I may be wrong but isn’t it the wrestling room?

I think some clubs have renamed the room the Tom Daley. I will leave it to you to work out why.

Could it be expanded and perhaps even 2 floors for gym equipment?

Just seems like there’s some fair space there and Ellis wants a gym.

The old Westgate Redoubt ARLFC ground would be a good place for a training and performance centre.
Likewise the West Yorkshire Sports & Social Club would also be a good fit.
There’s the Stanley Rodillians RU ground but it’s a bit out of the way

Bit smutty that mate!