I recall VT saying money was available to increase the capacity at CCS if we reached the Prem. Now I know that planning permission was requested when CCS was built for a higher capacity and I'm sure the foundations are already in place too, so when will it be done and by how many. I would guess that doubling the Ninian Stand would be the obvious choice, but will VT do it sooner rather than later??
Was reported as a minimum of 8,000 Siam...well that was the plan, plus the training academy at a total cost of £22m. Wouldn't have thought it would take too much time to take the roof off and add another tier, given the structure is there. But saying that I know nothing of the building game... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18445138
I was asking around the other day. I understand that it would be another tier (8000) with the possibility of even more, although I have my doubts as to whether they'd be needed.
Cheers. My memory slipped up there. They would have to start work straight after the last match! Maybe they will wait one season?
Clearly it's not going to be done this year - hence the limit of 20,000 on Season Tickets. As it stands, the place will be full (apart from the Family Stand??) for every game - unless we do a Derby, and look relegated by Christmas.
I was under the impression the infrastructure was in place to take out the walls at the back of the stand/s an extend the seating back. increase the capacity to 35000? Doubt it would be in time for next season. Probably for the season after if we survived. Anyway, all still hypothetical...
Correct. The steelwork infrastructure is in place to accept a second tier of seating around the Canton, Ninian and family stands - there is no requirement to raise the roof. Planning consent was granted, and still exist subject to re-submission, for a 60,000 seat stadium on the site. Unfortunately, in the interests of cost saving at the initial construction stage, the below ground piling and deadwork was reduced for a lower capacity facility - I believe it made economic sense at the time as it saved approx £5M. The retro-fit second tiers providing approx 8,000 additional seats would be relatively inexpensive to add - I heard the figure of £9M mentioned at the time - but to go beyond that would mean a far more substantial construction project that might prove uneconomic. I even heard only last year that it might be more appropriate to demolish and start again.
The seating can be increased within the existing frame by extending the top tier of the grandstand round and by adding a smaller ever elsewhere. I also thing they are looking at filling in some of the corners, or one at least.Hhowever the foundations are NOT in place to allow major upward extension by adding a complete new level. The proposal was in the original plans but they had to be scaled down to meet cost limitations before the plans were finally approved. I only know this because I was working for Laing O'Rourke at the time. It is still possible to build up but as someone said it would take more substantial footings work and might actually reduce capacity whilst the work is being completed.
I would rather have a CCS full of "core" fans to help the team stay up for the first season, and then increase it, so we can have the plastic fans' money
