I seem to remember that a few years ago, when there was the debate going on about whether the World Snooker Championship should stay in Sheffield, there was seemingly quite serious discussion about building a new arena, which was referred to as a Billardrome, in the city. Anyone know what happened to that? I assume it was quietly dropped.

is there any need to build an entirely new arena just for snooker? i do understand it can be a multipurpose arena but Snooker can really be played in any small arena tbh.

You wouldn't necessarily think so, but as I remember the logic was that it would enable more people to get in to see the World Championship as the Crucible barely seats a thousand people. The idea was based on the venue at Goffs which hosted the Irish Masters in years gone by.

If this was built, how often would it be used?

I think this part of that idea did get built, a 8 table academy and they kept the Snooker in the City Centre.

http://www.worldsnooker.com/the_academy.htm

If this was built, how often would it be used?

As I recall, the theory at the time was that it would be used for other sporting events as well as the World Snooker Championship. I guess it would have provided an alternative, smaller facility to the Sheffield Arena.

Snooker can be played anywhere, it doesn't matter they used to play it in the circus ring at Blackpool. I suppose a temp structure surrounding the table that could cater for say 2 or 3 thousand would be better. Ideally keep it in Sheffield.
I think like Ronnie said though, snooker has lost it's way. To big factors have gone, 1. Big sponsorship from tabbaco companies 2. It was once cheap TV and there was not a lot else to watch pre-Sky so millions of people watched it.
It needs more mass appeal. I used to watch hours of it, now I rarely watch it at all.

You say it needs 'more mass appeal', but I don't really understand what you mean by that. The standard of snooker being played today is higher than it has ever been, and was again demonstrated by the Masters this week. The problem is not the sport, but the administration.

You say it needs 'more mass appeal', but I don't really understand what you mean by that. The standard of snooker being played today is higher than it has ever been, and was again demonstrated by the Masters this week. The problem is not the sport, but the administration.

you have to admit, snooker was more popular couple years back compared to today. I used to watch it regularly 5 years or so back, now i just can't be bothered anymore :dunno:

sheffield has to be the home its great for sheffield and the crucible is the home of snooker theres a big vibe throughout the city when snooker is on in the city. We have the snooker academy at the EIS where the two chinese youngsters on the circuit are based he billardome i dont think would be built now as someone said theres not enough call for a arena for just snooker.

you have to admit, snooker was more popular couple years back compared to today. I used to watch it regularly 5 years or so back, now i just can't be bothered anymore :dunno:

Popular in what way? As I understand it, ticket sales for tournaments are holding up well and, while the days of 18.5 million watching a world final may have gone, I think the game still holds its own on the box aswell, when it's on. I know people say the characters aren't there anymore but I really don't think that is necessarily the case. I think it is more down to the fact that snooker isn't on our televisions like it was even 10 years ago and that is down to the game's big problem.

The problem, as I've said before, is in administration. We are currently in a situation where the two biggest tournaments in the game, the World Championship and the Masters, do not have title sponsors. The only television stations that appear to be interested in the game are the BBC and Eurosport. The governing body seems unable to find solutions to these problems and snooker will drift unless something is done. The potential the game has is massive but it will only be realised if it is run properly.

And if you reckon you can't be bothered with it, check out the Masters final on BBC IPlayer. It might just get you hooked again.

sheffield has to be the home its great for sheffield and the crucible is the home of snooker theres a big vibe throughout the city when snooker is on in the city. We have the snooker academy at the EIS where the two chinese youngsters on the circuit are based he billardome i dont think would be built now as someone said theres not enough call for a arena for just snooker.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I lived in Sheffield for three and a half years and the buzz around the city during the World Snooker was fantastic. I still try to get to the Crucible for one day a year during the tournament and hopefully will be there again this year. Good days, good memories.

since the banning of tobacco the sport has gone down hill slowly every year for some reason, the standard of snooker now is amazing yet it still seems a bit dull, last year in a tourney i saw 3 maximum breaks and i still got bored of it.
theres too much other sports to watch with more action now, i used to love darts, but try watching a game of darts after you just finished watching an intense game of footie and it just does nothing for me.
the bbc wont want the snooker getting too big because sky will take away all the best players like they have with the darts :lol:

the bbc wont want the snooker getting too big because sky will take away all the best players like they have with the darts :lol:

The reason there was the split in darts was because of a lack of television exposure. Sky didn't take the players away. The players went of their own will. It nearly happened in snooker a few years ago and I can see more discontent coming if things don't happen sooner rather than later.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I lived in Sheffield for three and a half years and the buzz around the city during the World Snooker was fantastic. I still try to get to the Crucible for one day a year during the tournament and hopefully will be there again this year. Good days, good memories.

theres a cultural festival to go alongside the snooker a exhibition area games area . a Few years back it was red hot about 27 degrees i think it was the peace gardens were packed with fans watching the big screen

http://www.billiardrome.com/_sgg/f10000.htm