see your points canagoo - it's a common fact the Cats are under financial pressure,now I understand better why this is.Most clubs seem dependant on SKY money to keep them afloat - a handful could probably survive but probably not that many...

did i miss something?

There's a press release on the Catalans website today saying that 500 000 Euro has been made available by various govt bodies to fund works, including a new stand as well as club offices and a shop.

yes JonM but read on,the total cost will be 6.8 million euros split between three separate government offices with almost half of it being financed by the city of Perpignan.The state is financing the rest.This is unusual for the state to finance a rugby ground though the reason given is that it will improve the area around the stadium and improve living conditionsgenerally ie improvement in local infrastructure etc
All this to add 2560 more places for fans plus space for reception & administrative areas.

Let's just hope the team justifies this investment in 2011 on the pitch...

seems a shame that there'll still be that one end without a grandstand. Oh well, better than nothing.

11,000? Ready by April? Sounds like the perfect venue to host the mid year international with England I think.

yes,seems strange to me they built a swimming pool at one end !!! mind you,it's facing due west so a real pain to be sat there in the hot months,in fact probably unbearable from mid-june to mid-september - maybe it was for that reason ?

I believe the Stade Toulousain is perfect for internationals as in the past with it's easy access etc

The swimming-pool was built in front of the stadium because the ex-mayor of Perpignan hates rugby league and the catalans dragons. He's a rugby union fan, particularly for the local club, USAP.

Although, this is official, the new mayor wants to build a new stadium of 25'000-30'000 seats at the periphery of Perpignan because USAP needs more money to survive in French Top 14. But the problem is financial, the city haven't got the money to built a new stadium.

thanks or the insight - the ex-mayor sounds a nasty piece of work !

I don't suppose Aimée Giral can be extended any more following the previous work over recent years ?

I think the debate about Dragons generally should bear in mind how tough Usap are having it this season.
Tenth in the league and until yesterday struggling in the Euro cup.
Lots of moaning on their forum and a coach and owner under pressure.
Will that put more pressure on the local administration to help them out?

what's the difference in USAP being 10th in a 17500 seater or 30000 seater stadium ? would they really be able to fill a 30000 seater ?

If the top14 is more widely known in France, it is important for Perpignan the town to have a strong team in that competition... I think.

For Dragons it could be an opportunity if they are struggling. Or the council or whomever might want to offer Dragons less support and USAP more.

USAP thinks they be able to fill a 30000 seater because for the play-off and grand final (2009 and 2010), they was about 40'000 catalans in Paris to support them. A major part of these group didn't live in Catalonia, but around Paris and Versailles for work.

They're just dreaming.
They are in a bad position this season -sportingly and financially- and who will help them? The town hall...

yes,the Grand Final night in 2009 was an unforgettable experience - we were at the Quins game (If I recall ?) which was switched to a afternoon kick-off and ate in town just opposite the Castillet during the showing of the game on the big screen - it was a great night - there must have been about 5000 people in the square (or am I exaggerating ?) - I enjoy both codes so it's sad to see any team in difficulty.
But it's tough times everywhere at the moment in sport but in life generally - I know,having just received notice of redundancy (licenciement économique) after 14 years - Merry Xmas ! ?

Dreaming? They're confident of getting at least 40,000 into the Camp Nou in April.

blimey,40000 would be a great turnout - is RU that popular on the spanish side ?