Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:30 am  

Disco wrote: My understanding is... 1) I think the official line is "Um, er, um..". Between the lines it seems to be that the club have SOME of the money (maybe even MOST?) already in place, enough to kick of a 'staged' build at least. It's not much of a leap to conclude that the a*se falling out of the property market has put a serious dent in the saleable value of certain assets the club were relying on to sell. The upshot is there's almost certainly some undisclosed shortfall which means a reduced pot. That means staging the Glasshoughton build, such as building something with 2 or maybe 3 sides at first. Of course that would mean a reduced capacity, below the magic 12,000 number required. Whether the RFL would accept such an outcome is the $64M question... but I fear they probably wouldn't. 2) The club claims to be appraising the RFL of the build situation on an ongoing basis. Nothing concrete about what the RFL are feeding back has ever been forthcoming (apart from the 'warning' Cas and four other clubs received about their franchise promises). My feeling? ... it doesn't look good. 3) I don't think there is a particularly huge delay with the architects, though perhaps the changes outlined in '1' had not originally been part of the submission remit given to the 'final four'? If that's the case I'd expect they've been told to review their designs with a view to possibly building what they've come up with in stages. Just a guess on my part, but if I'm right then such a consideration would be vital. 4) Well the only realistic timescale I suppose is the last thing RW said: "It's achievable to play there in 2012 but, if the economy continues as it is, it may take a little longer and we would have to look at contingency plans". He said it HERE, apparently. 5) Apparently Cas DO have a Plan 'B' (in fact the RFL made note of it when the first Franchise app's went in) but nobody's too sure what it is. The assumption seems to be something along the lines of "tart up Wheldon Road". I'm not sure if that clarifies or muddies the waters, but there you go. 1. Well from what I have read in the latest Richard Wright blog is the majority of the funding in place? Cas have not even released the funds from the land given to them by wakefield council yet and I seem to remeber the company that we had A FIXED PRICE agreement for the sale of the jungle which I presume was in a binding contract. So if they have pulled out or whatever has happened why havent we demanded they honour contract or pay us a sum to be released from contract. 2. Hope they have been telling the RFL more than what we have been getting. All we get is that everyone is working behind the scenes and that there is another meeting next month. 3. A significant delay with the designers. We were supposed to find out December January time and we are now in April. I get that there could be some issues if have to do a staged build but Please. 4. I would be happy if we got a brick in ground before another potential bad winter halts all work. But remember this we still do not have full planning authority to proceed. We were ahead of st' helens wakefield and salford and all theres seem to be gathering pace while ours stands pretty much still. 5. Plan B by the looks of what we have seen so far is give up and play in National League. Hopefully the fans focus group mentioned in the blog that is supposed to be taking place next week will have the opportunity to put these point to the BOD.

Disco wrote: My understanding is... 1) I think the official line is "Um, er, um..". Between the lines it seems to be that the club have SOME of the money (maybe even MOST?) already in place, enough to kick of a 'staged' build at least. It's not much of a leap to conclude that the a*se falling out of the property market has put a serious dent in the saleable value of certain assets the club were relying on to sell. The upshot is there's almost certainly some undisclosed shortfall which means a reduced pot. That means staging the Glasshoughton build, such as building something with 2 or maybe 3 sides at first. Of course that would mean a reduced capacity, below the magic 12,000 number required. Whether the RFL would accept such an outcome is the $64M question... but I fear they probably wouldn't. 2) The club claims to be appraising the RFL of the build situation on an ongoing basis. Nothing concrete about what the RFL are feeding back has ever been forthcoming (apart from the 'warning' Cas and four other clubs received about their franchise promises). My feeling? ... it doesn't look good. 3) I don't think there is a particularly huge delay with the architects, though perhaps the changes outlined in '1' had not originally been part of the submission remit given to the 'final four'? If that's the case I'd expect they've been told to review their designs with a view to possibly building what they've come up with in stages. Just a guess on my part, but if I'm right then such a consideration would be vital. 4) Well the only realistic timescale I suppose is the last thing RW said: "It's achievable to play there in 2012 but, if the economy continues as it is, it may take a little longer and we would have to look at contingency plans". He said it HERE, apparently. 5) Apparently Cas DO have a Plan 'B' (in fact the RFL made note of it when the first Franchise app's went in) but nobody's too sure what it is. The assumption seems to be something along the lines of "tart up Wheldon Road". I'm not sure if that clarifies or muddies the waters, but there you go. 1. Well from what I have read in the latest Richard Wright blog is the majority of the funding in place? Cas have not even released the funds from the land given to them by wakefield council yet and I seem to remeber the company that we had A FIXED PRICE agreement for the sale of the jungle which I presume was in a binding contract. So if they have pulled out or whatever has happened why havent we demanded they honour contract or pay us a sum to be released from contract. 2. Hope they have been telling the RFL more than what we have been getting. All we get is that everyone is working behind the scenes and that there is another meeting next month. 3. A significant delay with the designers. We were supposed to find out December January time and we are now in April. I get that there could be some issues if have to do a staged build but Please. 4. I would be happy if we got a brick in ground before another potential bad winter halts all work. But remember this we still do not have full planning authority to proceed. We were ahead of st' helens wakefield and salford and all theres seem to be gathering pace while ours stands pretty much still. 5. Plan B by the looks of what we have seen so far is give up and play in National League. Hopefully the fans focus group mentioned in the blog that is supposed to be taking place next week will have the opportunity to put these point to the BOD.

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:01 am  

andyed-wiganrl wrote:

Yeah alright mate....like bradfut were redeveloping odslum in 1994!! Found an old league express the other week having a clean out with little mock up pictures of what it would look like in 2000!!! Had a good old laugh at that.

As much as id like it to be otherwise, yours and wakeys plans are pipedreams and neither will have sufficient funding unless you team up AND get the council involved.

If you take the emotion out of the topic then youd all realise its the only way.

Perhaps this will finally happen given another 16 years like bratfut have had, when come 2026 you and wakey will still be playing at Wheldon Road and Belle View in the National league and will realise its the only chance either of you will ever have of getting back in SL. Either that or merge as Calder (PS. the last bit is tongue in cheek)

You really are showing yourself up and exposing your lack of RL knowledge.....whatever happens or doesn't re new stadia, Wakey will not be playing at Belle Vue!!

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:13 am  

Tricky2309 wrote:

Wakefield will be a tenant at a community owned stadium. The funding for the stadium is in place and provided planning permission for the full development is given, it will happen.

In the case of Wakey, we are in the last chance saloon having sold Belle Vue, but as above, subject to planning permission being granted, the new stadium will be built.

It is often stated that all the money is in place. can you rpovide a link to a reputable source for this assertion? Thanks.

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:24 am  

GiantJo wrote:

It is often stated that all the money is in place. can you rpovide a link to a reputable source for this assertion? Thanks.

It is often stated (by you) that the venture wont happen. can you rpovide a link to a reputable source for this assertion? Thanks.

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:33 am  

GiantJo wrote:

It is often stated that all the money is in place. can you rpovide a link to a reputable source for this assertion? Thanks.

To coin one of your well used phrases "why should I do your research for you" the information is out there if you are that interested go and find it yourself

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 11:56 am  

andyed-wiganrl wrote:

Yeah alright mate....like bradfut were redeveloping odslum in 1994!! Found an old league express the other week having a clean out with little mock up pictures of what it would look like in 2000!!! Had a good old laugh at that.

As much as id like it to be otherwise, yours and wakeys plans are pipedreams and neither will have sufficient funding unless you team up AND get the council involved.

If you take the emotion out of the topic then youd all realise its the only way.

Perhaps this will finally happen given another 16 years like bratfut have had, when come 2026 you and wakey will still be playing at Wheldon Road and Belle View in the National league and will realise its the only chance either of you will ever have of getting back in SL. Either that or merge as Calder (PS. the last bit is tongue in cheek)

You mean the council that has publicly stated they wont put a penny into either stadia?

The council that lost millions in the iceland bank collapse, the council who is heavily in debt and will soon see a funding cut whoever wins the general election?

Or are you thinking of another council?

If we had a council willing to invest (like widnes, hull etc) we would already have a new ground but we dont we have a council that will not invest, so we have to build up the funding ourselves.

If you keep talking like you know best but then show that you have little idea about the facts of the situation you look like a right t!t.

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:20 pm  

andyed-wiganrl wrote:

Yeah alright mate....like bradfut were redeveloping odslum in 1994!! Found an old league express the other week having a clean out with little mock up pictures of what it would look like in 2000!!! Had a good old laugh at that.

As much as id like it to be otherwise, yours and wakeys plans are pipedreams and neither will have sufficient funding unless you team up AND get the council involved.

If you take the emotion out of the topic then youd all realise its the only way.

Perhaps this will finally happen given another 16 years like bratfut have had, when come 2026 you and wakey will still be playing at Wheldon Road and Belle View in the National league and will realise its the only chance either of you will ever have of getting back in SL. Either that or merge as Calder (PS. the last bit is tongue in cheek)

I think the thing that most people from outside the area don't understand is that - for me at least - the scenario you suggest (two separate teams playing at Wheldon Road and Belle View in the lower leagues) is actually preferable to the prospect of having one merged team in the area which doesn't adequately identify with either Castleford or Wakefield. Certainly not Cas, anyway, seeing as a merged team would almost certainly carry the name 'Wakefield'.

Folks can say that's a short sighted view, but it's easy to tell others what to do while the long term prospects of your own Leeds, Wigan, St Helens, (etc) seem safe and secure thank you very much. Perhaps they don't understand the fact that (from Cas' side of the fence at least) there's not much bar the rugby club that still puts the town on the map. The Tigers are something that people can rally behind and take a civic pride in and that's what folk do. As a proportion of the town's population Cas' crowds are unbelievably high.

Calder or Wakefield Tigers (or whatever) just wouldn't have the same draw, so yes I want Cas to be up there with the best but to be honest, if it came to it, I'd rather watch a team called Castleford being a big fish in a smaller pond. The prospect of doing so isn't the 'threat' that some outsiders seem to think it is.

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:25 pm  

andyed-wiganrl wrote:

In all seriousness why dont wakey and cas both just cut the crap and stop chasing pipedreams of a ground. The best way forward for all parties would be a joint venture 14k ground for both clubs to groundshare.

As ive even said before, you could even split the ground to have two cas stands and two wakey stands to give it a novelty feel. Both sell season tickets and tickets in your home stands, and one of the other stands could serve on a normal match day for away fans, leaving one closed which would be more than enough for all league games bar the derby.

Then come derby day twice a year open up the whole ground with cas on one side and wakey on the other.

Its realistically the only way its ever going to happen and could add a bit of a novelty factor to the ground.

Otherwise both clubs will be left playing in the holes of grounds you have now and playing NL rugby in 5 years time.

I know it's very unlikely but just suppose the Premier League decided that they didn't want RL teams playing at football grounds (and I am aware that you have a long-term lease but the Premier League are a much bigger organisation than the RFL) and you were forced to move out.

How would you feel if we told you that you could try and build your own stadium or go and share Saints new ground.

How many Wigan fans would contemplate playing out of a shared stadium with St Helens (do you think I would need more than 1 hand to count them???)


Things are taking longer than either us or Cas would want but we are still not ready to abandon plans and start all over again trying to find somewhere suitable for us both to share. Apart from the fact that not many Cas or Wakey fans would be happy with sharing, starting over would put us significantly behind where either project is at the moment and would pretty much guarantee no licence for either of us next time around.

You get on with supporting your team and leave us to support what ours are doing!!!

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:32 pm  

SimonBarrett wrote:

It is often stated (by you) that the venture wont happen. can you rpovide a link to a reputable source for this assertion? Thanks.

Where have I said it wont happen? give me a couple of examples. Or are you making up what I post?

So do you have a link to a reputable source showing the money is all in place?

Re: Latest stadium up date : Fri Apr 09, 2010 1:37 pm  

GiantJo wrote:

Where have I said it wont happen? give me a couple of examples. Or are you making up what I post?

So do you have a link to a reputable source showing the money is all in place?

So do you have a link to a reputable source showing the money is not all in place?