pvm Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) I'm looking forward to visiting the stadium at sometime in the future, and I'm sure I will be impressed by everything. But my visit will be tinged with sadness. Sadness at the fact that the Stadium is 30+ years to late. Stadiums like the new Belle Vue should have been built at a time when the sport was doing well. Promoter took the easy option of setting up in rented stadiums instead of investing in stand alone stadiums. When teams were kicked out, no-one had the vision to build there own stadium, they just moved onto the next stadium that would rent them the space. Planning laws were different then, NIMBY's didn't have as much influence, the sport should have had the vision and the funds to progress the sport without the need to rely on the whims of a Landlord. Edited September 18, 2015 by pvm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil The Ace Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 JUST back from a two hour site visit with Chris Morton, David Gordon and Peter Collins. Had no idea of the scale of this project until now. It's huge and nothing like anything else that speedway has seen in this country. The outline of the 350 yards, very wide track is beginning to take shape and, of course, that will be the vital element. But everything about the place is first class, even the sound barrier which cost over £1 million and when you actually see it you know why. The main grandstand which is rapidly coming to fruition will be a spectacular facility both from a viewing point of view but also as a restaurant. And remember this is a stadium being built specifically for speedway and available throughout the week. We will have more and latest pix in SS in a couple of weeks but at a time when there is, understandably, so much negativity around speedway in this country this is a very bright beacon of light. No praise is too high for Chris Morton and David Gordon, both BV through and through, for seeing this mammoth operation come to fruition. Yes. Until you get into the actual building site do you see the scale of the whole thing. As you say the outline of the track is taking shape and the track outline feels bigger than 350 meters. The width of the track is mahooosive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 Thanks Phil for that update. Can I ask how PC is going on these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 GREAT. Had dinner with him and Angie tonight. Wonderful memories, we go back a long way. He is fully recovered and in terrific form over a gigantic Chinese meal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoke Potter Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Who is the senior driving force behind this project? My guess is it would be David Gordon? If so, he should be given the senior role in the BSPA and direct a New Track Building Programme which should be set-up to deliver a new generation of dedicated speedway stadia around the country. The only real way to see the sport prosper in this country; top class tracks in bespoke modern facilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) Who is the senior driving force behind this project? My guess is it would be David Gordon? If so, he should be given the senior role in the BSPA and direct a New Track Building Programme which should be set-up to deliver a new generation of dedicated speedway stadia around the country. The only real way to see the sport prosper in this country; top class tracks in bespoke modern facilities. The facilities are being built by Manchester City Council, who are also borrowing the money to pay for the development. It will then be leased to Belle Vue Speedway. I would love to know how David Gordon convinced a local council to borrow £6m and use it to build a speedway stadium with all the inherent risk involved being taken by the council, when here in Swindon our council is so broke then are suggesting that people may have to start picking up litter and mowing grass verges, as they council can no longer afford to do it. Edited September 19, 2015 by MattK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKYLANE Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Bringing Speedway to a new venture is difficult. many councils are negative to Speedway Manchester City Council are pro sport and we must not forget that a big thank you also goes out to them as well. The council have been keen to help to maintain the history of Belle Vue and in particulat the new Speedway stadium. don't forget that this is Belle Vue Sports village which includes Speedway, a 2000 seater Basketball centre , a 3G pitch (which is already in use ) , a 3g rugby pitch inside the Speedway and an upgrade of the Belle Vue Leisure Centre. The rugby pitch is not full size but the school next door will be using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 sound barrier which cost over £1 million :o :o :o :o That does kind of give an idea of the project and some insight if the local authorities are serious or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 There are a number of restrictions in place from the planning permission: For example, meetings can be held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays only - 18:00 to 22:30 There shall be no more than 43 meetings during the main season of which no more than 25 meetings will be held on Fridays and no more than 18 meetings on Wednesdays or Saturday There shall be 7 hours of practice sessions 3 of which will be Sundays (main season) or Saturdays (out of season). The practice sessions shall start no later than 12:00 (midday) and finish no later than 18:00. JUST back from a two hour site visit with Chris Morton, David Gordon and Peter Collins.. And remember this is a stadium being built specifically for speedway and available throughout the week. No praise is too high for Chris Morton and David Gordon, both BV through and through, for seeing this mammoth operation come to fruition. Not sure I am understanding this.When you say the stadium will be available throughout the week,do you mean the track or restaurant etc,as that seems to contradict the other post....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aces51 Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 There are 7 hours of practice per week, of which 3 have to be Saturday or Sunday, dependent on whether out of season. That leaves a total of 4 hours of track time to be used on any other day(s). That should tie in nicely with the proposed training facilities for riders and mechanics, which will be classroom and track based. In addition there can be 43 meetings, far more than shall be needed under the present league structure. A NL team will account for additional meetings but even so it is unlikely that will account in total for anything like 43. It seems to me that you could also then arrange "matches" involving the trainees to aid their development. I assume the stadium will also be used for all sorts of commercial enterprises, conferences, weddings, maybe concerts, who knows. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 Bringing Speedway to a new venture is difficult. many councils are negative to Speedway Manchester City Council are pro sport and we must not forget that a big thank you also goes out to them as well. The council have been keen to help to maintain the history of Belle Vue and in particulat the new Speedway stadium. don't forget that this is Belle Vue Sports village which includes Speedway, a 2000 seater Basketball centre , a 3G pitch (which is already in use ) , a 3g rugby pitch inside the Speedway and an upgrade of the Belle Vue Leisure Centre. The rugby pitch is not full size but the school next door will be using it. i agree, well done to the council for protecting belle vue's heritage. Here in london, once the power base of british speedway, our famous clubs were just left to die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 19, 2015 Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 There are 7 hours of practice per week, of which 3 have to be Saturday or Sunday, dependent on whether out of season. That leaves a total of 4 hours of track time to be used on any other day(s). That should tie in nicely with the proposed training facilities for riders and mechanics, which will be classroom and track based. In addition there can be 43 meetings, far more than shall be needed under the present league structure. A NL team will account for additional meetings but even so it is unlikely that will account in total for anything like 43. It seems to me that you could also then arrange "matches" involving the trainees to aid their development. I assume the stadium will also be used for all sorts of commercial enterprises, conferences, weddings, maybe concerts, who knows. ALL of the above IN addition the council have provided an additional £750,000 to ensure that the infrastructure can be put in place now for when and if they require an additional 3,000 seats ... Speedway World Cup for example. Obviously far easier to do this work now rather than later, especially with so much required to comply with modern Heath & Safety regulations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 (edited) ALL of the above IN addition the council have provided an additional £750,000 to ensure that the infrastructure can be put in place now for when and if they require an additional 3,000 seats ... Speedway World Cup for example. Obviously far easier to do this work now rather than later, especially with so much required to comply with modern Heath & Safety regulations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PHIL ---- [/quote , When adding the additional £750,000 the council phrased it by being generated by 'borrowing' Will be this be added on to the amount Belle Vue must pay back over the term of their repayment to the council ? ALL of the above IN addition the council have provided an additional £750,000 to ensure that the infrastructure can be put in place now for when and if they require an additional 3,000 seats ... Speedway World Cup for example. Obviously far easier to do this work now rather than later, especially with so much required to comply with modern Heath & Safety regulations. Phil, The council word the £750,000 investment as being generated by 'borrowing' will this be added to the total that Belle Vue must payback over the term of their repayment to the council. Edited September 20, 2015 by New Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted September 20, 2015 Report Share Posted September 20, 2015 Phil, The council word the £750,000 investment as being generated by 'borrowing' will this be added to the total that Belle Vue must payback over the term of their repayment to the council. It's £554k from borrowing and £193k diverted from other budgets. The report states "If Members are supportive of the approach then the existing commercial terms should be reviewed to ensure that the additional investment being made is recognised." This suggests that at least some of the cost will be passed on to the speedway club. http://www.manchester.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/19388/item_16_-_capital_programme_proposed_increase_belle_vue_sports_village Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 So obviously BV will want a long term contract with BSI to hold the WC, shame that BSI hold all the aces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 So obviously BV will want a long term contract with BSI to hold the WC, shame that BSI hold all the aces. THEY don't ... pretty sure BV will be looking to stage a round of the SEC in this country if the BSPA will agree. There is the GP Challenge. Plus domestic events. From what I saw on Friday, and assuming that the track turns out to be as good as Chris Morton believes it will be (wide straights, banked corners, custom made covers, huge drainage already in place) and with the spectator facilities that will be on offer then it must surely be a contender for many, many meetings outside the BSI remit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 I hope you are right Philip. Tai needs to get in to the SEC though if BV want to stage a round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 WOULD at least give us a chance to see Emil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 WOULD at least give us a chance to see Emil! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted September 21, 2015 Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 THEY don't ... pretty sure BV will be looking to stage a round of the SEC in this country if the BSPA will agree. There is the GP Challenge. Plus domestic events. From what I saw on Friday, and assuming that the track turns out to be as good as Chris Morton believes it will be (wide straights, banked corners, custom made covers, huge drainage already in place) and with the spectator facilities that will be on offer then it must surely be a contender for many, many meetings outside the BSI remit. Indeed. BSI apparently don't bother too much about drainage at tracks staging GPs such as Riga.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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