Fab ground, after wranglings with developers, usages etc......the planning application has finally been submitted!!!!

City Of Salford Stadium (Home of Salford City Reds Rugby League Club - 20,000 seats)

The application is in this weeks Salford Advertiser, but not yet on the council's website!!!


http://www.reds.co.uk/images/stadium/barton/barton_artists2.gif

http://www.reds.co.uk/images/stadium/barton/barton_artists1.gif

http://www.reds.co.uk/images/stadium/barton/barton_artists4.gif

http://www.reds.co.uk/images/stadium/barton/barton_artists3.gif

Fingers crossed :)

Manchester will then be home to the best League Soccer Stadium, the biggest league soccer stadium, the Best Rugy League stadium, the Best Velodrome, and the best Indoor arena in the UK. Some going.

Just need that new cricket stadium built in Eastlands now.

I like it in some ways, but it seems a little lopsided to me. I prefer uniformity.

Is this the way to armadillo?

Well OT is lopsided, with the small south stand! Just think of it like that EB!

Manchester will then be home to the best League Soccer Stadium, the biggest league soccer stadium, the Best Rugy League stadium, the Best Velodrome, and the best Indoor arena in the UK. Some going.

Just need that new cricket stadium built in Eastlands now.

very true, I was thinking exactly that (re the new cricket ground) as I was reading your post.

Won't they have a problem with the rugby ball being booted over the small stand on regularly? The nature of rugby league where they boot the balls high i don't think it would be very practical to build a lopsided stadium. However, it does look quite unique and futuristic.

Well OT is lopsided, with the small south stand! Just think of it like that EB!
Not when they bridge over the railway to make it 96,000 it won't be... ;)

Lets hope so!!

Looks like a decent stadium although I agree with EB, I'm not sure I like the lopsides style of it.

I do makes a change from boring bowl stadiums (Middlesbrough, derby, southampton, swansea, darlington, etc etc).

The final hearing is this Thursday I believe. http://www.reds.co.uk/news278.html

Nearly there...


Planners back Reds stadium plans
SALFORD planning chiefs have given their backing to plans for a new 20,000 seater stadium for Salford City Reds - and want the Government to do the same.

Salford City Council's planning and transportation panel approved plans for the new rugby league stadium today - along with outline plans for a hotel, shopping and leisure facilities, and associated road improvements.

However civil servants in the north west must now consider if Whitehall needs to review the plans.

But council chiefs feel the proposal, which would be developed on a 30-hectare brownfield site near junction 11 on the M62 is vital for both the club and Salford as a city.

"Salford Reds are the premier team in Salford and they take their responsibility to the community very seriously," said council winner John Merry.

"We are very proud of the team and they contribute to the good name of Salford across the country.

"But the super league is developing and developing fast. Teams are expected to be playing in national, if not world, class stadiums.

"In my view, this development is critical for the development of the city and the club."

I'm in two moods about this. And not because of old fondness for the Willows.

One) A great stadium for the Greatest Sport. A bold move by Salford. If crowds rise for the new ground, as FC and Wire's attendances rose after moving into new stadia, then great.

Two) 20,000 for Salford is way to high. 10-15000 would suffice. FC and Wire moved to central locations, this is on the outskirts of the city. At least with the Willows, people in the area could roll out of their houses and go to the match, even on a last minute whim. Barton is a destination venue.

"But the super league is developing and developing fast. Teams are expected to be playing in national, if not world, class stadiums.


Isn't "world class stadiums" getting a bit carried away, given that Super League is only the fourth or fifth biggest league in England in terms of average attendance...?

Isn't "world class stadiums" getting a bit carried away, given that Super League is only the fourth or fifth biggest league in England in terms of average attendance...?

But certainly bigger crowds than the Zurich Premiership or whatever its called gets. Most media inflate these attendances anyway.

I think Rugby League clubs will have far better stadiums than the union sides will have, hence why are Sale/Stockport so keen to share this one with the Reds? :okay:

I'm in two moods about this. And not because of old fondness for the Willows.

One) A great stadium for the Greatest Sport. A bold move by Salford. If crowds rise for the new ground, as FC and Wire's attendances rose after moving into new stadia, then great.

Two) 20,000 for Salford is way to high. 10-15000 would suffice. FC and Wire moved to central locations, this is on the outskirts of the city. At least with the Willows, people in the area could roll out of their houses and go to the match, even on a last minute whim. Barton is a destination venue.

Kebab

It would be used for Rep and international games too, plus any other sports games like United Res etc plus concerts.

Salford's crowds will rise to around 8-10000 when they move in. Considerable marketing and promotion campaign will be set in place by then.

It's not just about bums on seats, the hotel, conferencing and banqueting facilities will give Salford a new revenue stream to under pin the rugby club and get them established as a permanent Super League side.

Rugby League has had a stadium revolution similar to football - locally alone, Wigan, Widnes and Warrington are all playing in excellent new facilities with Salford and hopefully St Helens going down that route.

But certainly bigger crowds than the Zurich Premiership or whatever its called gets.

The average Super League attendance in the 2005 regular season was 8,887 - the average for the Zurich Premiership in 2004/05 was 9,718, and the current average for the Guinness Premiership is around 10,500. The figure would be higher if around 40% of games a season weren't sold out - as you rightly pointed out, the union clubs are lagging behing their league counterparts at present in terms of stadia, though Bath, Gloucester and Leicester all have plans to expand soon.

I guessed that the FA Premier League averages over 30,000 and Division One about 15-20,000, I just don't know how Division Two compares which is why I said "fourth or fifth"...

Toad is right. That is also one of Evertons major downfalls. Could you imagine a nine time italian, German, Durch or Spanish league championship winning club playing in such a spartan ground? The off-field interest will greatly improve the on-field capabilities ofthe club. A major reason wht MARINE AFC re still Northern Premier fodder, and not a real league team.

There is no need for this to be all seater. Standing is still allowed and enjoyed at Rugby League.

The average Super League attendance in the 2005 regular season was 8,887 - the average for the Zurich Premiership in 2004/05 was 9,718, and the current average for the Guinness Premiership is around 10,500. The figure would be higher if around 40% of games a season weren't sold out - as you rightly pointed out, the union clubs are lagging behing their league counterparts at present in terms of stadia, though Bath, Gloucester and Leicester all have plans to expand soon.

I guessed that the FA Premier League averages over 30,000 and Division One about 15-20,000, I just don't know how Division Two compares which is why I said "fourth or fifth"...

I know that the Leeds Rhinos averaged over 17,000 last season which makes them the best supported rugby team again (both codes). Leeds Tykes averaged a few thousand again.

The average Super League attendance in the 2005 regular season was 8,887 - the average for the Zurich Premiership in 2004/05 was 9,718, and the current average for the Guinness Premiership is around 10,500. The figure would be higher if around 40% of games a season weren't sold out - as you rightly pointed out, the union clubs are lagging behing their league counterparts at present in terms of stadia, though Bath, Gloucester and Leicester all have plans to expand soon.

I guessed that the FA Premier League averages over 30,000 and Division One about 15-20,000, I just don't know how Division Two compares which is why I said "fourth or fifth"...


Its a matter of whether you believe what the media publish thought isnt it.
Just like they how they beef up the Leeds Tykes as if they are bigger than the Rhinos. ;) The Rhinos reserve side has more following. Sale's crowds will drop when the novelty wears off and when Salford take up their prominence.

I know that the Leeds Rhinos averaged over 17,000 last season which makes them the best supported rugby team again (both codes). Leeds Tykes averaged a few thousand again.

True, though as I said most union clubs' grounds are too small to cope with the increase in demand since the game went pro - Leicester are limited to 16,800 but sell out for almost every game, as do Bath (10,600 including a lot of temporary seating) and Gloucester most of the time (13,000-odd). You're right about the Tykes though :)

Anyway, this is in danger of turning into a code-vs-code argument and that's not what I was trying to provoke - all I was doing was raising an eyebrow at Chogmook's statement "Teams are expected to be playing in national, if not world, class stadiums." and pointing out that league, just like union, is hardly a big fish in the UK's sporting pond...

True, though as I said most union clubs' grounds are too small to cope with the increase in demand since the game went pro - Leicester are limited to 16,800 but sell out for almost every game, as do Bath (10,600 including a lot of temporary seating) and Gloucester most of the time (13,000-odd). You're right about the Tykes though :)

Anyway, this is in danger of turning into a code-vs-code argument and that's not what I was trying to provoke - all I was doing was raising an eyebrow at Chogmook's statement "Teams are expected to be playing in national, if not world, class stadiums." and pointing out that league, just like union, is hardly a big fish in the UK's sporting pond...

Coming from Wakey, though you might be a League man TBH?

http://www.reds.co.uk/newsroom/2008/news319_170108.html

Coming from Wakey, though you might be a League man TBH?

Hardly.

ignore

Is officially underway.

From www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk)

Funding blow for City Reds' stadium (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/FREE/906309981)
By James Chapelard


Salford City Reds ambitious plans for a stadium at Barton have been dealt a major blow after one of its main partners in developing the leisure and education complex failed to attract government backing.

Salford City College, one of the main drivers behind the project, has been refused development funding by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) it was announced yesterday.

In January, the club announced that the newly-formed Salford City College - an amalgamation of three Further Education colleges within the city – would build a campus on the site of its proposed Barton stadium.

However, in April fears soon grew that funding from the LSC was being reigned in and that the college might miss out.

The college scheme was brought in to replace a hotel and conferencing facility within the stadium, which featured in earlier plans but have since been dropped.

The stadium's development team - Salford City Reds, City of Salford Council, Peel Holdings and Calford City College - have held what the club described as a "very positive" meeting to discuss the LSC's decision to refuse funding .

Salford City College Principal Peter Crompton said the LSC funding was "not and never has been the only way of funding our interest in the stadium development.

"The college has other options available to it and these are continuing to be explored ."

Meanwhile, Reds' chairman John Wilkinson said the club had "the land, planning permission and a highly qualified team working this project through".

“The people of the City of Salford deserve a high quality stadium along with one of the best college facilities in the country, and that is what we will give them.

“We ask fans to continue to support and trust the club, in what is a highly complex development .”

More info here. Apparently all is well.

http://reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/06/30/chairman-speaks-about-stadium-progress/

From www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk)

Funding blow for City Reds' stadium (http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/FREE/906309981)
By James Chapelard

...

However, in April fears soon grew that funding from the LSC was being reigned in and that the college might miss out.


Nice to see journalists these days know the difference between "reigned" and "reined"... :bash:

Finally, a planning application has been submitted.

I really hope Pell haven't watered-down the original proposal to a boring meccano style football stadium.

No docs yet.

09/58253/OUT

Land Between The Manchester Ship Canal
Liverpool Road
Eccles

Outline planning application for the erection of 20,000 seat sports stadium with associated integrated facilities including a 208 bedroom hotel, gym, exhibition space (6340 sq m), bars (Class A4), restaurants (Class A3), takeaways (Class A5), museum, offices, media/creche rooms, gym and free standing 21,367 sq metres non-food bulk retail development, new access off Liverpool Road and new road through Eccles Waste Water Treatment site via existing access off Peel Green Road and bus interchange, parking and alterations to J11 M60/A57 Liverpool Road.

http://publicaccess.salford.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KSA71FNP05X00&searchtype=WEEKLY

Do people think the location of the new Salford stadium is appropriate? It seems like a very obscure place to me, it will have only 700 parking spaces, way out in the sticks. There is suggestion that the Metrolink may arrive there, in 2017, and again that's a maybe? Bloody horrible location.

Wouldn't a new ground nearer to the Weaste/Salford Quays area have been a much better option? Surely there was a nice industrial plot which could have been acquired at a reasonable price? Salford Quays would have enabled access to the Metrolink, plus maybe have attracted some new fans from Manchester, people who attend Man Utd, etc. Also, with the possibility of Sale Sharks sharing, that would have been ideal if some kind of commitment was made. The infrastructure and parking would have been amazing.

Although the ground sounds medicore, I think it's looking brilliant. It's smart-looking, compact and neat. I hope this proves to be a success for Salford Reds.

One factor that nobody seems to have mentioned yet is its proximity to the nearby sewage treatment works. Every time I've been to Airkix (on the other side of the M62) the stench has been pretty noticeable. :(

Not many pictures around of the new ground but it's nearly ready. First game is confirmed for Jan 8th.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384496_10151014402050515_14567860514_22067120_1364649252_n.jpg
This Pic is from the Reds Facebook page.

NOTE TO MODS:

Can you change the thread title. Capacity should be 12,000.

OJuBRPhonuc

Loads of new pictures on the Stadium Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.182446831851363.40179.132590823503631&type=1

I reckon we can change the title of the thread to Completed now :banana:

and here's one (Picture courtesy of Salford Reds facebook page) to make the Reds fans feel at home :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6515125991_a77069961c_z.jpg

Man thats an ugly stadium.

Man thats an ugly stadium.

You should of seen their old ground, the Willows!!

The first design looked amazing.

It was fantastic originally,It's also been radically downsized from 20,000.

Yeah, the first design was amazing:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8562/c71article1197756imagel.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/c71article1197756imagel.jpg/)

The architects for the new Rotherham United stadium were also inspired by it:

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/4674/23203834.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/23203834.jpg/)

With the rumours about Sale moving here to share with the Reds from next season, I was thinking about possible tennants.

Was their ever a consideration for Man Utd to move their reserve fixtures here from Altrincham?

I'm sure the owners (peel holdings and Salford council I think) would be keen to get more use from the stadium.

I'm really disappointed in how the design has been down graded to what simply looks like an off the shelf low capacity stadium. Their original design's fragmented stepped roof structure was excellent gave the stadia a real sense of identity and prominence. Was there a loss of funding for the project or an unfeasible design?

I'm really disappointed in how the design has been down graded to what simply looks like an off the shelf low capacity stadium. Their original design's fragmented stepped roof structure was excellent gave the stadia a real sense of identity and prominence. Was there a loss of funding for the project or an unfeasible design?

Its certainly not as ambitious as the original design. However i think that was a bit too ambitious considering the current size and support of Salford RL club.

The current design is IMO superior to the Halliwell Jones as originally built. It comes with an impressive main stand with excellent corporate facilities.
The overall size of the stadium is only around 1000 less than that of the original Haliwell Jones.
The design also has the ability to expand quite easily if Salford start to pull in the punters. The hJ on the other hand is quite limited in terms of room to expand, other than by filling in corners which they are now doing.

Renders of the stadium with the additional tier:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4127/99472056.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/99472056.jpg/)

http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8426/34087863.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/859/34087863.jpg/)

Bizarre colour scheme though, given that it's currently predominantly red with some blue seats. :lol:

And with Stockport County sounding out the possibilities of a ground share with Macclesfield, those blue seats look as if they have a purpose sooner than later!!

sale sharks play in blue

Exactly. If County drop out of the Conference proper, they can't afford the rent at Edgeley Park. That's why they want a ground share with Macc. Kennedy gets his way and can sell off EP for development. Sale move to Salford and get their greasy little hands on a modern stadium. A family member is involved with SCFC Trust. They fear that if County get relegated and don't move away, they will fold!!

Renders of the stadium with the additional tier:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/4127/99472056.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/99472056.jpg/)

http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8426/34087863.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/859/34087863.jpg/)

It's an improvement on the original stadium I think their main stand looks great in relation to Rugby League stadiums but their originally planned roof structure would have set it above any other Super League stadiums for architectural features with merit.

Wouldn't Stalybridge, Altrincham or even Woodley Sports make more sense as a ground share for County than all the way out in Macclesfield? At least it would keep the team in GM and not cost their fans a fortune to get the train to games.

was reading of a design flaw with the terracing behind the sticks.

Apparently they have had to close off the back row of terracing as they have discovered that you can get a "free peep show" down to the fact can see into the toilet blocks below.

Looks like they will have to do some last minute alterations to prevent further embarrassment.

Wouldn't Stalybridge, Altrincham or even Woodley Sports make more sense as a ground share for County than all the way out in Macclesfield? At least it would keep the team in GM and not cost their fans a fortune to get the train to games.

Apparently Alty are unwilling to ground share as they would be in the same league, resulting in fixture pileups. Not sure about stalybridge. Its been a long time coming, Kennedy has been tightening the screws for a while now. He has invested very little in Edgeley knowing that the Salford stadium was coming.

All I can say is watch out, there will soon be a cuckoo in the nest!!

Apparently Alty are unwilling to ground share as they would be in the same league, resulting in fixture pileups.

How would that make any difference? Surely it would make things easier, since it would be simple for just one league to schedule games on different weekends?

How would that make any difference? Surely it would make things easier, since it would be simple for just one league to schedule games on different weekends?

Man Utd's reserves also play at Altringham, which may be a factor.

Man Utd's reserves also play at Altringham, which may be a factor.

Exactly. They are worried about the amount of games played on the pitch. United Reserves provide a nice income, but a extra set of fixtures would cause problems. Bare in mind that Alty don't even have pitch covers to protect against frost/ice. A bad winter would cause a fixture pile up of nightmare proportions. 09/10 season, alty didnt play a home fixture between mid Nov - mid Jan due to a frozen pitch!!!

Watch out Salford, Sale are coming and I'm sure it's not long before they are treated as the principal home team!!

Man Utd's reserves also play at Altringham, which may be a factor.

Ah, that makes things different. I just couldn't work out why being in the same league as Altrincham would be a problem - if anything it would ensure games every weekend rather than, say, a Stockport game on Friday night and Altrincham on Sunday because two different leagues published their own fixtures.

Is Woodley Sports' ground upto Conf North stadards? Otherwise Stalybridge or Curzton Ashton are the only two games in town I guess. Hyde would probably have been the best option is Man City reserves (or Elite Squad or whatever they call them) didn't play there too.

Watch out Salford, Sale are coming and I'm sure it's not long before they are treated as the principal home team!!

Why would they be?

Please could somebody explain to me how Langtree Park, St helens cost £25 Million, and this smaller throw-back cost £26 Million?

Saints: A well designed, classy looking town centre based 18k stadium for £25 Million!
Salford: An out of town 12k stinker (literally) for £26 Million.

Such a shame, the figures are wrong, or somebody is seriously taking the pi$$!

Why didn't Salford make a nice terrace opposite the main stand instead of a tiny seated stand, something to add atmosphere and character like at the Halliwell Jones. Such a missed opportunity, so frustrating as we're stuck with this now!

The added expanded designs a couple of pages back look excellent, but it'll never reach 20k and realise that potential!

To add insult to injury, Rotherham are building a stadium which looks like what Salford were promised, for £25 Million. It's like a joke!

Please could somebody explain to me how Langtree Park, St helens cost £25 Million, and this smaller throw-back cost £26 Million?

Saints: A well designed, classy looking town centre based 18k stadium for £25 Million!
Salford: An out of town 12k stinker (literally) for £26 Million.

Such a shame, the figures are wrong, or somebody is seriously taking the pi$$!

Why didn't Salford make a nice terrace opposite the main stand instead of a tiny seated stand, something to add atmosphere and character like at the Halliwell Jones. Such a missed opportunity, so frustrating as we're stuck with this now!

The added expanded designs a couple of pages back look excellent, but it'll never reach 20k and realise that potential!

To add insult to injury, Rotherham are building a stadium which looks like what Salford were promised, for £25 Million. It's like a joke!

The stadium itself cost £16 million.