Racecourse Revamp - Architects appointed - RedPassion.co.uk

exileddragon · 21st May 2021, 07.28:59

Already announced by the club but interesting to see the club getting coverage in the planning/redevelopment press:

https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/new...-era-advances/

"National League football club Wrexham AFC, recently taken over by Hollywood actors, has commissioned sports specialist AFL Architects to revamp its Racecourse ground.

The first phase of the stadium’s redevelopment is under way, with LED boards from Wembley having been installed around the pitch.

AFL’s first phase of work will be an initial audit and review project, the studio said, identifying opportunities to improve spectator experiences in the Racecourse’s concourses.

An important part of the project will be the redevelopment of the former Kop stand, regarded as totemic but closed since 2008.

...

AFL has worked on sports projects including the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, the National BMX Centre in Manchester and the Brentford Community Stadium, along with the revamp of the Edgbaston cricket ground.

Having worked with Chelsea on the club’s Cobham training ground, it is currently engaged on a barrier-seating scheme for the club at Stamford Bridge."

FieldtownRed · 21st May 2021, 07.45:47

"totemic" - like it, although surely that's an adjective for the floodlights rather than the Kop?

smotyns · 21st May 2021, 09.59:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by FieldtownRed

"totemic" - like it, although surely that's an adjective for the floodlights rather than the Kop?

Probably using it the sense of the Kop having special place in the hearts of supporters, representative of the fan base; a totem as an emblem rather than the literal sense of a totem being a structure.

moynkeepthefaith · 22nd May 2021, 06.02:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by smotyns

Probably using it the sense of the Kop having special place in the hearts of supporters, representative of the fan base; a totem as an emblem rather than the literal sense of a totem being a structure.

Though I stood there as a lad I want it developed. Maybe they could pay homage to the old stand and have a little rise in the middle and charge 10p to go in ?

awill · 22nd May 2021, 06.18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by moynkeepthefaith

Though I stood there as a lad I want it developed. Maybe they could pay homage to the old stand and have a little rise in the middle and charge 10p to go in ?

Yes indeed.
I stood there through the 60’s,70’s,80’s, and 90’s.
With crowds over 20,000 and under 1,000 !
It’ll be sad to see it go but it’s also sad to see it in it’s current state.

Back of the Kop · 22nd May 2021, 07.17:02

Although I'll also be sad to see the old girl demolished I actually think the new stand will enhance the Racecourse atmosphere.

The Kop is very open and shallow so the main singers/chanters were actually miles from the pitch, with a roof that slopes downwards which reduces the noise travel so the sound bounces back at you.Compare the noise away supporters used to make when the Border stand (as it was then) was full.Defeaning

I spoke to away fans who had been in the Border stand and they said they couldn't hear any chanting from the Kop at all.This is because the natural acoustics are so poor (or we were getting stuffed)

Hopefully the new stand is designed quite steeply, keeping fans close to the pitch with a high roof which allows the sound to boom out as it does from the old Border stand

21st May 2021, 07.28:59	#1-0 (permalink)
exileddragon Squad Player Joined: Aug 2012 Racecourse Spot: none given Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Racecourse Revamp - Architects appointed Already announced by the club but interesting to see the club getting coverage in the planning/redevelopment press: https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/new...-era-advances/ "National League football club Wrexham AFC, recently taken over by Hollywood actors, has commissioned sports specialist AFL Architects to revamp its Racecourse ground. The first phase of the stadium’s redevelopment is under way, with LED boards from Wembley having been installed around the pitch. AFL’s first phase of work will be an initial audit and review project, the studio said, identifying opportunities to improve spectator experiences in the Racecourse’s concourses. An important part of the project will be the redevelopment of the former Kop stand, regarded as totemic but closed since 2008. ... AFL has worked on sports projects including the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, the National BMX Centre in Manchester and the Brentford Community Stadium, along with the revamp of the Edgbaston cricket ground. Having worked with Chelsea on the club’s Cobham training ground, it is currently engaged on a barrier-seating scheme for the club at Stamford Bridge."

21st May 2021, 07.45:47	#2-0 (permalink)
FieldtownRed Due a Testimonial Joined: Feb 2005 Racecourse Spot: Mold Road Stand Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Racecourse Revamp - Architects appointed "totemic" - like it, although surely that's an adjective for the floodlights rather than the Kop?

22nd May 2021, 07.17:02	#6-0 (permalink)
Back of the Kop retired & running a pub Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: none given Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Re: Racecourse Revamp - Architects appointed Although I'll also be sad to see the old girl demolished I actually think the new stand will enhance the Racecourse atmosphere. The Kop is very open and shallow so the main singers/chanters were actually miles from the pitch, with a roof that slopes downwards which reduces the noise travel so the sound bounces back at you.Compare the noise away supporters used to make when the Border stand (as it was then) was full.Defeaning I spoke to away fans who had been in the Border stand and they said they couldn't hear any chanting from the Kop at all.This is because the natural acoustics are so poor (or we were getting stuffed) Hopefully the new stand is designed quite steeply, keeping fans close to the pitch with a high roof which allows the sound to boom out as it does from the old Border stand