Floodlights

[olbarrafancumbak]

In terms of a ground, an 8-10k capacity ground would be more than enough, imo. However, a new build would enable you to build ancillary facilities - pitches that can be rented out; an in house gym/physiotherapy centre that could have space rented out; better hospitality facilities; better parking; the list goes on.

At the moment we're hemmed in on two sides by roads, there's a working garage in one corner of the ground, no proper parking facilities of our own and the ground isn't strong enough to support substantial redevelopment (unless someone knows better than the experts who have looked at this already). If you want a ground to last us the next 100 years, you wouldn't start from here.

Just my view.

Good points...BUT.. with all schools or collages and council sport facilities with 3 or 4 g pitches.. who would rent pitches?

Most grounds are governed by roads but look at it as a positive.. easier access and visibility! rooms under any new stand could be used as shops, pubs, bookies, food outlets or even teaching facilities? so income there. it has very good passing trade.

Garage on corner was a major booboo imo.. we should never of let that happen! BUT.. its there, work around it.. tis what it is..

8k capacity is about right for our needs.. I would like to see 20k following barrow but I'm realistic and right now, its just pipe dreams!

[Jim]

In terms of a ground, an 8-10k capacity ground would be more than enough, imo. However, a new build would enable you to build ancillary facilities - pitches that can be rented out; an in house gym/physiotherapy centre that could have space rented out; better hospitality facilities; better parking; the list goes on.

At the moment we're hemmed in on two sides by roads, there's a working garage in one corner of the ground, no proper parking facilities of our own and the ground isn't strong enough to support substantial redevelopment (unless someone knows better than the experts who have looked at this already). If you want a ground to last us the next 100 years, you wouldn't start from here.

Just my view.

... and, being close to other large retail outlets, our present site presumably has a reasonable market value.

[Steelworks End]

If we went down the "new stadium elsewhere" route, could Holker Street have a market value for a housing development as well, perhaps, with the opposite side of Holker Street having been built on?

Also worth considering, although they would not be popular with many, would be groundsharing with the rugby, and/or an artificial surface for more community use; not necessarily schools but local football clubs.

If we stay at Holker Street the car repair (ex-Bluebird Club) place might not be an insurmountable problem if the owner could be persuaded - i.e. paid - to move elsewhere. What might be a problem is the "lake" behind the Popular Side access road, although maybe that could be filled with rubble as the existing ground is redeveloped.

[chipmunx]

If we went down the "new stadium elsewhere" route, could Holker Street have a market value for a housing development as well, perhaps, with the opposite side of Holker Street having been built on?

Also worth considering, although they would not be popular with many, would be groundsharing with the rugby, and/or an artificial surface for more community use; not necessarily schools but local football clubs.

If we stay at Holker Street the car repair (ex-Bluebird Club) place might not be an insurmountable problem if the owner could be persuaded - i.e. paid - to move elsewhere. What might be a problem is the "lake" behind the Popular Side access road, although maybe that could be filled with rubble as the existing ground is redeveloped.

When the main stand was build Asda gave the club £100,000 (from memory) to get 1st option on the land if it was sold - not sure how many years the option lasted though. The option was to basically stop another supermarket going there. If the option was 15 years it's expired, 20 and it's around expiring time - but if it was 25 or more it would still be a factor.

[Alhosk]

If we went down the "new stadium elsewhere" route, could Holker Street have a market value for a housing development as well, perhaps, with the opposite side of Holker Street having been built on?

If we can't put a bus shelter on the Holker Street end, surely they won't be able to build houses on it...

[olbarrafancumbak]

If we went down the "new stadium elsewhere" route, could Holker Street have a market value for a housing development as well, perhaps, with the opposite side of Holker Street having been built on?

Also worth considering, although they would not be popular with many, would be groundsharing with the rugby, and/or an artificial surface for more community use; not necessarily schools but local football clubs.

If we stay at Holker Street the car repair (ex-Bluebird Club) place might not be an insurmountable problem if the owner could be persuaded - i.e. paid - to move elsewhere. What might be a problem is the "lake" behind the Popular Side access road, although maybe that could be filled with rubble as the existing ground is redeveloped.

When the main stand was build Asda gave the club £100,000 (from memory) to get 1st option on the land if it was sold - not sure how many years the option lasted though. The option was to basically stop another supermarket going there. If the option was 15 years it's expired, 20 and it's around expiring time - but if it was 25 or more it would still be a factor.

whatever the agreement, I think the "super market" bubble has burst... with other sites being available elsewhere and perhaps in better locations, why would a Tesco or lidl be interested? I'm not so sure that being neighbours with your competitor is the norm? could be wrong like..

Deffo no to artificial playing surfaces.. not overly keen on ground sharing but wouldn't rule it out completely? would think the rugger ground site may be more valuable than ours.. better for housing??

I know a wee bit about construction (not an expert) and see no reason why we can not develop what we have, to a bloody good standard with great facilities for half the cost at least to whats been suggested via mail, here or whatever..

[DaveP]

some good points looking at both sides.

the issues I see with holker Street are largely due to it being unchanged since long before modern traffic and development took place. Need to buy out the paint spraying place and acquire the land behind the cross bar. Need to fill in the "lake" and need to deal with the subsoil alleged issues. In reality a complete rebuild albeit piece by piece.

I just wonder whether a new stadium might be a better bet with facilities and access and parking issues addressed.

I'm sure things are happening behind the scenes but there is nothing being said.

Can anyone imagine if we get promoted the work that will be needed to qualify for football league ground grading particularly if we don't start soon.

[olbarrafancumbak]

some good points looking at both sides.

the issues I see with holker Street are largely due to it being unchanged since long before modern traffic and development took place. Need to buy out the paint spraying place and acquire the land behind the cross bar. Need to fill in the "lake" and need to deal with the subsoil alleged issues. In reality a complete rebuild albeit piece by piece.

I just wonder whether a new stadium might be a better bet with facilities and access and parking issues addressed.

I'm sure things are happening behind the scenes but there is nothing being said.

Can anyone imagine if we get promoted the work that will be needed to qualify for football league ground grading particularly if we don't start soon.

If promotion is what is desired by Casson, see installing new lights a wasted exercise if a move is in the offering?? Always thought he wanted the view from the cem to HS for his relatives that have passed??

[Steeley]

Someone needs to decide what 'we' want. People have different ideas, some people want gyms built, offices etc. That needs a new ground if we were to go down that route imo. Nowadays new facilities need decent car parking, i dont think we can achieve that at HS.

How far off league standard is HS at the moment? Floodlights are obviously a must replace now but the rest of the ground, yeah it aint pretty but its not the worst in the league by a long shot.

If it were up to me with unlimited resource id build a new ground share, ormsgill playing pitches. Job jobbed.

[Hadrian]

We own the ground an the land around,

Which "land around" do you think 'we' (Mr Casson?) own?

[whitty1969]

We own the ground an the land around,

Which "land around" do you think 'we' (Mr Casson?) own?

Answer = None. PC owns Holker Street only

[olbarrafancumbak]

Which "land around" do you think 'we' (Mr Casson?) own?

Answer = None. PC owns Holker Street only

Who owns land behind sir Ray Wilkie stand? Land at steelworks end next to crossbar?

[anthony]

All good reading BUT. why all the WE own this WE should do that. The only people who OWN anything are the Casson family. The WE owned the club died when The Casson family took control. if they had not done so when they did Barrow AFC would not exist now.
The land behind the Cross bar is owned by Walmart (asda).

[tictactoe]

Mmmm I wonder why the old bluebird became a garage in the first place ...... especially at the time the ground development was first talked about - call me a cynic but it's not rocket science

[Hadrian]

No one associated with The Soccer willing/able to put up the money to buy it?