The Groves Training Ground: How will you be voting?

[Todd Sweeney]

Originally Posted by WrexhamO

That is the job of the WST Board to investigate and tell us in order to further inform the membership. However the WST Chairs statement at the weekend seems to indicate that they haven't looked at all.


Why do we HAVE to lease (long term) or buy now by the way?

There are break clauses in the lease in our favour. The first is after 10 years, which I wouldn't call long-term.

We have to do something now because we will have to leave our current training ground in the near future, and without sorting something else out we will be left with nowhere to train.

Because the site is near the Racecourse, players can continue to train and eat there, meaning there is no rush to build other facilities at the Groves. We can do it when we can afford it, which in my mind is also a big bonus.

I'm not being obtuse here - I am genuinely struggling to see any negatives to the Groves at all. I get that people don't like the idea of paying for the development of the pitches etc. but I can't see how that can be avoided no matter what we do. And having our own training ground with pitches designed for our needs seems to me to be a real competitive advantage.

[WrexhamO]

I hope the results of the ground investigation work on the Groves and the subsequent revision to estimated cost a will be through in time for the already rushed EGM tomorrow.

Frankly, this all could and should have waited.

[Todd Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Phils-an-alki

But the club doesn't have the money to pay for it otherwise they wouldn't have had the begging bowls out during the last few weeks.
Saying the club will have to pay for it is just stating the bleeding obvious.

So, how are they going to fund this?

These things always always cost more than predicted too.

We're not going to be paying for it all at once. We start with the basics and what we can afford and add to it over time. The point is it's ours, we have security, and it will be an asset to the club.

[WrexhamO]

Originally Posted by Todd Sweeney

There are break clauses in the lease in our favour. The first is after 10 years, which I wouldn't call long-term.

We have to do something now because we will have to leave our current training ground in the near future, and without sorting something else out we will be left with nowhere to train.

Because the site is near the Racecourse, players can continue to train and eat there, meaning there is no rush to build other facilities at the Groves. We can do it when we can afford it, which in my mind is also a big bonus.

I'm not being obtuse here - I am genuinely struggling to see any negatives to the Groves at all. I get that people don't like the idea of paying for the development of the pitches etc. but I can't see how that can be avoided no matter what we do. And having our own training ground with pitches designed for our needs seems to me to be a real competitive advantage.

We can design one pitch for our "needs". I.e. to match the Racecourse dimensions. It does not even leave room for a second full size pitch. Having exactly the same at nine acre has delivered no competitive advantage that I have seen.

To be clear I would live us to have our own training ground, but one that gives us scope and that we can afford.
I don't see any of that now.

[Todd Sweeney]

Originally Posted by WrexhamO

We can design one pitch for our "needs". I.e. to match the Racecourse dimensions. It does not even leave room for a second full size pitch. Having exactly the same at nine acre has delivered no competitive advantage that I have seen.

To be clear I would live us to have our own training ground, but one that gives us scope and that we can afford.
I don't see any of that now.

So where would we train after 9 acres is no longer available?

[Phils-an-alki]

Originally Posted by Todd Sweeney

We're not going to be paying for it all at once. We start with the basics and what we can afford and add to it over time. The point is it's ours, we have security, and it will be an asset to the club.

Have you seen a payment plan then?

You still haven't told us where the money is coming from. Even if we're not paying for it all at once you still can't tell us where any money for this will come from, why?

The point is on one hand the club is asking for donations with the UTST campaign and on the other they want to build a new training ground? Its absurd. They need to make their minds up.

Furthermore, with non-urgent work shut down, we have had to close the Racecourse and furlough all paid staff – denying us sources of income such as the club shop.
As detailed in our updates, the club has financial reserves but these are being eaten into and we have a rent payment to make on the Racecourse soon too.

[WrexhamO]

Do you really think we won't be able to find anywhere? Really?

And do you really think the places we do find will be any worse than an undrained pitch on an ex school field?

That's project fear.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Todd Sweeney

So where would we train after 9 acres is no longer available?

Where do we train if the Groves covenant and planning is not gained?

There has been a floodlights beef on that area of land before, where residents won.

There is an active group connected to the Groves site who are already viewing any attempts to change or move covenants with suspicion.

One plus point I would guess is if we can't use the Groves the council, who are in effect evicting us from the 9 Acre, will come under pressure to help facilitate another alternative - you would hope!

[CRUMBS]

I see what you mean P a a , certain posters appear when things suit them just before a vote , where was he with all the other boards shenanigans earlier , rather the continual shenanigans , strange man .