The LDA is launching a website on a number of possible planes for Crystal Palace Stadium & National sports centre on 17th Sept

http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001002001003/targetBlock/968/viewPage/3

You can check out so of the ideas on Arups website (go to projects-sports & stadia- crystal palace park)

http://www.arupassociates.com/AA_Intro.html

Ah, my local park! While the Arup design for a new pool looks really good as I understand it the pool will be only 25m. Now it's great we're getting new 50m pools in Stratford, but to close the only 50m pool in London currently would be a mistake. I know they are expensive and they will never make money, but surely it's worth subsidising sports facilities to an extent. So many other countries do, are we really too poor to?

I think the best option is to update the current facilities. Both the track and sports hall are well designed. They are just a bit run down and dirty. The walkway in the middle isn't that great though and lighting needs improving - I could understand people avoiding the area at night.

If there is enough money for a whole new facility I think that would be better spent building an additional complex elsewhere.

this is the latest info I could find.
http://www.sydenham.org.uk/lda.html

Looks like the lda are serious, but it will be a few years before any major construction could start. Do they have the cash I wonder?

http://www.sydenham.org.uk/lda_01.jpg

It looks like the LDA will exercise it option to take over the whole park well before 2009 and we may see the first fruits of regeneration by that date. This would fit in with the East London Line Extension (ELLX) which will have a terminus at Crystal Palace Station by 2010 and put the whole complex in good shape to act as a training camp and base for some of the Olympic teams in 2012.

What next? LDA submit the planning framework to Bromley in October folowed by another consultation. Because there are some major changes from the Bromley UDP (urban development plan), the listing challenges and navigating the various Acts of Parliament that govern the park this will be a crucial period. But if successful it could be the birth of a new Park for next 125 years of the LDA's stewardship.

they should just to CPA to get the old land the palace was on back and then actually rebuild the damn thing.

There's ten pages of the different plans under consideration, here.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.590/viewPage/1

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_f2.jpg

This took a LONG time to put together:















Just like every other week Dubai gets a 300m tower, every other week a new or expanded stadium plan seems to spring up in London!




New Crystal Palace Stadium




Ideas for Sport in the Park

Crystal Palace Park has a great sporting history and there is widespread support for continued sport in the park. However, the National Sports Centre (NSC) cannot continue to function without major works in the next 5–8 years.

The following pages show a series of studies for the major sports buildings and sports activities within the Crystal Palace Park. The study area is within the red line shown on the Park plan below, but also includes the central car-parking space just west of this area.

The first four studies shown, A–D, all retain the existing National Sports Centre building, with considerable refurbishment and improvements to its facilities. The upgrades would improve comfort, cut energy costs and – through the provision of lifts and ramps – make the facilities accessible to all users. However, re-engineering the current building will mean losing sports facilities for 18-24 months while works are carried out, and it will miss the opportunity to move the facilities closer to transport links.

Studies E and F involve creating a new sports building nearer Crystal Palace rail station. These studies would provide a modern, efficient building, using less space than the current centre, with improved access and security. Sports provision would carry on uninterrupted, although there would still be some disruption while the new centre was being built. Studies E and F would mean finding another use of the current Listed building or leave it facing full or partial demolition.

Funding is a vital issue in taking forward any of these ideas. It will be addressed later in the exhibition.

1 Metropolitan Open Land MDS boundary; 2 National Sports Centre building; 3 Concourse; 4 Sports buildings; 5 Jubilee Stand; 6 West Stand & terraces; 7 Hostel; 8 Residential; 9 Other buildings; 10 Central car parking zone
http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/sport.jpg




The National Sports Centre

The NSC has served as a sports centre for 40 years and was awarded Grade II* Listed status in 1997. The DCMS Listing incorporates the following description:

”…views across [the] concourse and seating, and down into squash areas, are particularly impressive. [The] fluidity is enhanced by the bold expression of the ’A’-frame and delicate arched bracing supporting the roof which is a most distinctive and distinguished feature.”

A refurbished centre would mostly retain the unique structure, but serious functional and cost issues would remain unresolved.
Problems with the existing building
* It is isolated within the middle of the Park, creating safety and security issues especially in the evenings when many people want to use it
* Current centre creates a physical barrier in the middle of the park
* Most car parking is away from the sports facilities
* Poor pedestrian access to and within the building, particularly for people with disabilities e.g. swimming changing rooms not at pool level
* Lack of dividing screen between wet and dry sports leading to poor conditions in each and under-use of squash courts
* Extensive clear glazing causes glare throughout sports centre
* Major mechanical and electrical systems need replacing
* Running costs are unsustainable at present

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/nsc_20040920150031.jpg




The internal environment

The main sports building was designed as one large space with ‘dry’ sports facilities on one side of the building and ‘wet’ (pool) facilities on the other, separated by a central gallery that leads to spectator seating.

There is no adequate temperature or noise separation between these areas, leading to high air temperatures and humidity in the gymnasium. An environmental dividing screen could be created by inserting glass screens within the A–frame structure. However this is costly and the centre would need to be closed during the installation.
The pool The pool

The existing 20m wide racing pool is too narrow for accredited competition. The dark blue areas show that there are significant structural issues involved with extending the pool in width.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/swim.jpg




The sports centre site

The car parking around the NSC covers a large area, yet is fragmented into different parking zones and serves the buildings poorly. The low bridge and turnstiles from the railway station cause problems for emergency vehicles and force service vehicles through the middle of the Park.

The immediate area around the NSC building is cluttered by a collection of smaller buildings, detracting from the Listed building itself, reducing visibility and access across the Park and increasing security concerns.

Sports facilities mix

Following discussions with Sport England and user groups, it is suggested that a new centre may contain:
* Swimming pool – ideally international competition size
* Learning pool
* Spectator seating for the pool
* Sports Hall – to allow 8 x badminton courts or the equivalent
* 4-lane 70m indoor sprint track with run-off space
* Combat hall
* Boxing hall
* Weight lifting room
* 2 dance studios
* Health and fitness suite
* 4 five-a-side football pitches (outside)
* Outdoor track

It is assumed that diving is relocated to the Lower Lea Valley.

Our aspiration is that the sports facilities will be for the community but that they will also benefit elite and aspiring athletes.

Additional facilities

In addition to the above, the following range of facilities could also be considered to provide a balance to the recreational and community mix and generate more income for the development:
* Soft play zone
* Children’s gym
* Crèche
* Hairdressers
* Beauty Salon
* Doctor/Dentist surgery
* Sports science/visitor attraction/science museum
* Extreme sports (skateboarding/biking/ rock climbing etc.)
* Bar and multi-purpose function rooms
* Restaurant
* Sports education
* Sports injury clinic

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/Sports_facilities.jpg




Summary of sports studies

Summary of sports studies The studies are illustrative only and do not represent final schemes. All of these options would involve large capital costs.

Studies A–D marginally improve the revenue deficit position. Studies E and F much improve this situation but additional facilities may be required to achieve a revenue neutral position.

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/sports_studies.jpg




Study A

Study A: Refurbish existing building

Improve pedestrian access and upgrade indoor track. Increase pool size and keep training and diving pools. New changing facilities and a dividing screen to help control conditions inside the building.

Pros
* Minimum impact on Listed building
* New pools with a rooftop terrace to the south
* Restored original high–level entrance with new reception
* Keeps the diving facility

Cons
* Misses opportunity to provide new facilities
* Very little change with only minor upgrade to existing sports facilities
* Swimming pool still not to accredited standard
* Highest subsidy cost

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_a.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_a2.jpg


Study B

Swap wet & dry areas

New entrance with new indoor athletics area. Internal facilities re-arranged, with a new multi-purpose 8–court sports hall replacing the pool New 50x25m modern pool in the area of the existing sports hall. New changing facilities and a dividing screen between the pool and other areas to control internal conditions.

Pros
* Pool meets international competition size standards
* No construction outside the existing NSC building
* The new entrance improves the east–west connections in the park

Cons
* Less space in the sports hall, which would be long and thin and therefore not ideal
* Major remodelling required for the inside of the NSC, including new foundations for the pool
* No use for the Listed diving structure
* High construction cost

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_b.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_b2.jpg




Study C

New pool on west side of existing building

Demolish raised walkway and create new entrance, with reception area connecting all levels. New indoor athletics area. Pool replaced by new multi–purpose 8–court sports hall. New 50 x 25m pool building on the west side of the building.

Pros
* Pool size meets accredited competition size standards
* Provides extra facilities, giving the potential for more revenue
* The new entrance improves the connections in the park
* Straightforward separation of wet and dry areas
* Enhance current building

Cons
* Increases the area covered by the sports complex, although only below ground
* Listed diving structure redundant
* Limited headroom over new pool
* Listed chimney structure demolished

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_c.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_c2.jpg




Study D

New pool at north end of stadium

New swimming pool building between existing building and stadium. Demolish raised walkway, create new entrance and develop new indoor
athletics area. New reception area connecting all levels. Pool replaced by new multi-purpose 8–court sports hall.

Pros
* Pool meets international competition standards
* Provides extra facilities, giving the potential for more revenue
* The new entrance improves the access in the park
* Wet and dry areas are clearly separate
* Possibility of phasing works to enable continued swimming facilities, although this would extend construction time
* Reinforces the link with the athletics track

Cons
* Increases the area covered by the sports complex
* Would need new changing facilities, leading to redundant areas in the existing NSC
* Listed diving structure redundant
* Removes the existing hard court area next to the stadium
* This is likely to be the most costly option with little improvement in revenue
* Too much redundant space

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_d.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_d2.jpg




Study E

New sports centre near station

the area of park built on. Consolidates car parking and access roads. Demolish raised walkway and create new indoor athletics area with good links to stadium. NSC building either demolished or released for other uses.

Pros
* A modern, efficient building located nearer public transport and main roads
* Helps improve access and security
* Opens up centre of park or releases Listed building for other uses
* New building provides continuous provision of sports facilities during construction and maintains jobs
* Reduce area built on if NSC demolished

Cons
* Potential loss of Listed building
* Separating indoor sports centre and athletics track may hinder operational and coaching benefits of current NSC
* Extensive works while new facilities are being built

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_e.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_e2.jpg



Study F

Combined indoor/outdoor sports facility

New indoor sports facility near edge of park, integrated with existing athletics stadium. Consolidates car parking and access roads. Demolish raised walkway and create new indoor athletics area beneath west stand of stadium. NSC building either demolished or released for other uses.

Pros
* Uses space efficiently and cuts back the amount of space used
* Fully integrates Sports Centre, Stadium and Park Landscape, allowing better promotion of Crystal Palace as an International Sports Venue.
* Possibility to provide other sport and community uses, such as a health centre, creating more revenue
* New building provides continuous provision of sports facilities during construction and maintains jobs
* Located nearer public transport and roads with shorter access roads through Park
* Opens up centre of park or releases NSC for other uses.
* Holistic approach provides new vision for Crystal Palace and may attract other funding.

Cons
* Potential loss of Listed building
* Extensive works while new facilities are being built

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_f.jpg

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/study_f2.jpg




Another possibility?

Another possibility? It has been suggested that the entire sports facilities could be relocated to the top of the park to consolidate all sports development on a prominent urban site and free the middle of the park from development. The diagram illustrates the space that these facilities would occupy in this location.

We have not undertaken a study on this site for the following reasons.
* The large scale of an outdoor stadium would have a significant impact on the top of the park and there would be little space for car parking near to the facilities
* Major excavation of the remaining Crystal Palace foundations would be necessary to form the seating bowl and would need very high levels of capital investment to rebuild the existing stadium plus the indoor sports centre
* The light pollution from the stadium might be of concern to local residents
* The location would be remote from the existing Crystal Palace railway station, which is a key component of large events in the park

http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/img/possibility.jpg

If anyone is interested, over at SSP, I have created an immense stadium + arena thread:


http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=69590&perpage=25&pagenumber=1


Up to 4 pages long it contains practically every single stadium and arena detail in London that I know of (bar Ascot - but thats an exception). I hope to eventually move some of it over here - pretty large thread though with lots of pics. :yes:

Grade II* listed! But it's a hideous piece of concrete crap, and it was an outrage that it was built in the middle of the park. The world has gone mad. :bash: I favour demolishing the existing facilities and rebuilding at the edge of the park, or better still somewhere else altogether, but I don't suppose there are any other available sites. The next less bad option is the one that demolishes the existing rubbish and puts everything into one building.

Not really a sporting thing, but what do you all think of the Wilkinson Eyre proposal for the Park?

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39540000/jpg/_39540209_crystalpalacedesign.jpg

There's a story on the BBC website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3248865.stm) about it. I have no idea what stage it's at, if any. I think it's waiting for an investor so if any of you have a bit of spare cash?.....

has anyone heard about the possible move of selhurst park football stadium to crystal palace park.

has anyone heard about the possible move of selhurst park football stadium to crystal palace park.

What have you heard and i take it you mean Crystal Palace FC?

Looks great but isn't it quite close to the Olympic athletic stadium?

Looks great but isn't it quite close to the Olympic athletic stadium?

No, Crystal Palace is in South London, while the Olympic stadium is in East London, miles away from each other.

More....SARF EAST LAAAAHDEN. I'm not far away from the place at all, walking distance, if I have the time I'll take some pictures.

Oh, one more thing, there is some working going on at the cuurent Sports centre, can'y say what though.

^^ I live right near by too!
They are patching up the pool facilities just to keep it open. Essential work is being done to the exterior, the changing rooms are being re-done and the pumps / filtration is being replaced. It's behind schedule by some way. Last I heard it would be done by November.

The major project detailed above is being financed from a number of sources, but the LDA are key. So under Boris expect this to be delayed or pulled altogether.

What have you heard and i take it you mean Crystal Palace FC?

do you live in the area its been in the local newspaper

There are no realistic plans whatsoever for relocating CPFC to the actual park. The masterplan is well advanced & a decision is due from Bromley council in he next couple of month. The only talk of a rival plan is the plans to build a replica of the original Crystal Palace into hotel etc.

You can see all the plans here

http://www.crystalpalacepark.org/

It's a pity that the masterplan didn't incorporate the rebuilding of the replica of the Crystal Palace but instead ignored it. I personally believe this was a mistake.