Latest WST weekly update - full audio of zoom meeting published

[Jaded]

Originally Posted by RobG

And it’s a real shame that we didn’t keep it, but it’s gone and I think what is proposed now is very pragmatic.

Possible. It would be interesting to see the reaction to the proposal if we had a board in place who were seen as more trustworthy than the current people.

[LlayDragon]

Originally Posted by RobG

And it’s a real shame that we didn’t keep it, but it’s gone and I think what is proposed now is very pragmatic.

IMO pragmatic would be using a piece of cheap, unenclosed land on the outskirts of the town.

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by RobG

And it’s a real shame that we didn’t keep it, but it’s gone and I think what is proposed now is very pragmatic.

Yes, lets sweep another mind boggling decision that doesn't suit your agenda under the carpet and not talk about the long term effect its undoubtedly had on the club.

In summary:

Used to train at colliers where the likes of Barcelona deemed it good enough to train their elite superstars.
Denis Smith always used to say it was a huge lure for players, and crucial for the club, what does he know eh?

Now we train on an abandoned school field with no facilities that's a total embarrassment to the club and we're about to spunk god knows how much cash on another abandoned school field that's screams non league and tin pot.

Forgive us for not wetting ourselves with excitement.

[Rob Edwards]

Originally Posted by RobG

Having listened to the update on the zoom audio, it makes complete sense to me that we consider developing the Groves as our new training home. We do need somewhere suitable to train and it sound like there will soon be no other options.

The explanation for why we can’t use Colliers is also logical, it is not available to us on a regular and guaranteed basis. We need our own base.

It was stated that the plans will be put in front of members for approval and that costs can be limited at first with new facilities added as and when we can afford them.

A 99 year lease was also mentioned with break clauses that we can invoke if we outgrow it and need more space.

Sounds like a good piece of work to me, I don’t understand why some on here are so negative about it.

There are other options-its just convenient for the Board to say so.Its called railroading or just not disclosing all the facts.
On what level is it a good deal?
Our priority at present should be to ensure there is an on-field improvement next season.The Groves is just another Strategy House idea which has worked so well so far.

[Quay Red]

Originally Posted by Bagger Vance

Could have had Colliers for £250k. I'll leave that one there.

Plus the cost of refurbishing the place. Believe that wasn't cheap.

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by Quay Red

Plus the cost of refurbishing the place. Believe that wasn't cheap.

Bet its cheaper than buying an old school field and starting from scratch.

[RobG]

Originally Posted by Jaded

Possible. It would be interesting to see the reaction to the proposal if we had a board in place who were seen as more trustworthy than the current people.

It is easy to dwell on the negatives though, and there have been some, certainly.

But there are also positives, there has been a lot of good work done already, to secure the lease on the Racecourse and clear the debts, and the gateway project could be great news for the club and the town, so let’s give some credit where it’s due.

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by RobG

It is easy to dwell on the negatives though, and there have been some, certainly.

But there are also positives, there has been a lot of good work done already, to secure the lease on the Racecourse and clear the debts, and the gateway project could be great news for the club and the town, so let’s give some credit where it’s due.

LOL. Any actual football positives you can muster?

[Bagger Vance]

Originally Posted by Quay Red

Plus the cost of refurbishing the place. Believe that wasn't cheap.

The sum of buying it and refurb would have been less than a rebuild. Plus the benefits of freehold over leasehold and 3g plus grass over grass only and the revenue opportunity of 3g outside of club use.

It was a no brainer for me to dilute the purity of the project to get the deal done, it majorly affected the sporting infrastructure going forward which can be evidenced by the results from the past 9 years.