josie andrews wrote:It needs a lot of money spending on the terracing etc. The terracing in front of the gym/training rooms etc has been cordoned off for years
A few seasons ago, when Wigan first started using the ground, I was talking to Joe Lydon at a academy game and he told me of the plans to improve the Stadium.
Alas, nothing has ever happen which is sad as it could bring income into the club by staging games which Mr Wigan will not allow at the DW Stadium.
A big mistake was the Council not allowing a new vehicle entrance from where the new houses were built on the opposite side to Edge Hall Road which is a nightmare for getting in and out.
So basically what you are all saying is far too much money would need spending upon the stadia and access for a hundred people at best to very occasionally to purchase a pint.
As someone who drinks incredibly rarely even I know that fans that like a drink have a quick one in a nearby pub and if you are so desparate to have another; take a can which would be slightly better than the cats urine likely to be on offer at a hardly used stadia.
Perhaps if people really want a venue to consume alcohol then the club could play more games at Cuthberts or Wigan RU.
Personally, I view Orrell as a training ground where I want the players to have the best facilities and that includes the pitch.
cpwigan wrote:So basically what you are all saying is far too much money would need spending upon the stadia and access for a hundred people at best to very occasionally to purchase a pint.
As someone who drinks incredibly rarely even I know that fans that like a drink have a quick one in a nearby pub and if you are so desparate to have another; take a can which would be slightly better than the cats urine likely to be on offer at a hardly used stadia.
Perhaps if people really want a venue to consume alcohol then the club could play more games at Cuthberts or Wigan RU.
Personally, I view Orrell as a training ground where I want the players to have the best facilities and that includes the pitch.
So do I ????????
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
cpwigan wrote:So basically what you are all saying is far too much money would need spending upon the stadia and access for a hundred people at best to very occasionally to purchase a pint.
As someone who drinks incredibly rarely even I know that fans that like a drink have a quick one in a nearby pub and if you are so desparate to have another; take a can which would be slightly better than the cats urine likely to be on offer at a hardly used stadia.
Perhaps if people really want a venue to consume alcohol then the club could play more games at Cuthberts or Wigan RU.
Personally, I view Orrell as a training ground where I want the players to have the best facilities and that includes the pitch.
I did not suggest that a indoor refreshment/bar facility be there for boozing but for the comfort of supporters not having to queue outside in the weather and also facilities for the occasional finals of the amateur and schools games like we used to have at Central Park.
Just because you do not have the occasional pint or the odd bowl of chips or a hamburger in better surroundings does not mean you should deprive others of the chance.
And by the way, not all beer is as you describe, some of it is quite good.
Even if a indoor facility never happens, the fact remains that essential improvements need to be made at the Stadium.
cpwigan wrote:So basically what you are all saying is far too much money would need spending upon the stadia and access for a hundred people at best to very occasionally to purchase a pint.
As someone who drinks incredibly rarely even I know that fans that like a drink have a quick one in a nearby pub and if you are so desparate to have another; take a can which would be slightly better than the cats urine likely to be on offer at a hardly used stadia.
Perhaps if people really want a venue to consume alcohol then the club could play more games at Cuthberts or Wigan RU.
Personally, I view Orrell as a training ground where I want the players to have the best facilities and that includes the pitch.
I think there's a balancing act to strike and it depends what the club want to make of the facilities and room they have.
The key was establishing the professional training facilities, which they've now done. They won't lose sight of the importance of that and how that will help the club be successful for years to come.
Now there is an argument for moving forward with some of the things others have asked for - but not just a bar for those of the odd few hundred that want a beer during an academy game.
Improvement to spectator experience might get more down there. There is also the thought I have that a function room facility (with a bar) could be developed that could get the club more ongoing income as we don't own our own stadium. If its a 'community stadium' then some 'community facilities' would be good - a place you can have a kid's birthday party or run your fat fighters club out of or whatever. Would help generate non-match day income, just depends how much it would cost to establish the facilities. Of course, you don't want to inhibit the professionalism of the playing side of things that would be based on the same site. I'm sure the club have thought it over and weighed up the options a number of times in the past 4/5 years.
cpwigan wrote:So basically what you are all saying is far too much money would need spending upon the stadia and access for a hundred people at best to very occasionally to purchase a pint.
As someone who drinks incredibly rarely even I know that fans that like a drink have a quick one in a nearby pub and if you are so desparate to have another; take a can which would be slightly better than the cats urine likely to be on offer at a hardly used stadia.
Perhaps if people really want a venue to consume alcohol then the club could play more games at Cuthberts or Wigan RU.
Personally, I view Orrell as a training ground where I want the players to have the best facilities and that includes the pitch.
I think there's a balancing act to strike and it depends what the club want to make of the facilities and room they have.
The key was establishing the professional training facilities, which they've now done. They won't lose sight of the importance of that and how that will help the club be successful for years to come.
Now there is an argument for moving forward with some of the things others have asked for - but not just a bar for those of the odd few hundred that want a beer during an academy game.
Improvement to spectator experience might get more down there. There is also the thought I have that a function room facility (with a bar) could be developed that could get the club more ongoing income as we don't own our own stadium. If its a 'community stadium' then some 'community facilities' would be good - a place you can have a kid's birthday party or run your fat fighters club out of or whatever. Would help generate non-match day income, just depends how much it would cost to establish the facilities. Of course, you don't want to inhibit the professionalism of the playing side of things that would be based on the same site. I'm sure the club have thought it over and weighed up the options a number of times in the past 4/5 years.
Exactly, it is a 'Community' Stadium' and should be utilised as much as possible and generate income for the club.
The club may not want any distractions as and when the players are training which is correct.
I am just wondering where you expect these facilities to be given the clubhouse has been converted to purely training facilities.
IL has not sanctioned spending on the terracing in front of the clubhouse because he sees no value / return in doing so yet you expect / think he will / should for what? A Ken Gee Cup Final?
cpwigan wrote:The club may not want any distractions as and when the players are training which is correct.
I am just wondering where you expect these facilities to be given the clubhouse has been converted to purely training facilities.
IL has not sanctioned spending on the terracing in front of the clubhouse because he sees no value / return in doing so yet you expect / think he will / should for what? A Ken Gee Cup Final?
Not sure if you're replying to me or WW, CP?
Anyway, not knowing the site massively well having only been a couple of times and not living locally, I remember there being a bit of space behind the terraced stand where something new could be put and it still would be a bit away from main training facilities. You could even block in an entrance for cars from beside the main one IIRC.
It has to be beneficial to be viable ratehr than just so fans can have a beer at academy games, and shouldn't come at the detriment or cost to the professionalism of the playing side of things. I don't expect anything other than whats best for the club, and if that is spending money elsewhere then thats fine by me.
I just think it is never going to happen. If it was, it would have happened by now. Planning issues may prevent building behind the side stands and it would also impact upon parking.
Orrell is just a great training facility, nothing else IMO
cpwigan wrote:The club may not want any distractions as and when the players are training which is correct.
I am just wondering where you expect these facilities to be given the clubhouse has been converted to purely training facilities.
IL has not sanctioned spending on the terracing in front of the clubhouse because he sees no value / return in doing so yet you expect / think he will / should for what? A Ken Gee Cup Final?
And pray what would be wrong in staging the odd outside game like the Ken Gee Cup Final, Lancashire Cup Final from the amateur game and the local schools finals with the addition of proper indoor refreshment facilities.
Plus what is the point of having sponsorship of the Stadium and now the seating stand and the indoor training gym, if the money is not being spent at the Stadium for better facilities for those who play there and those who watch.
