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Rugby club home for Terras?
WEYMOUTH Rugby Club was today expected to be identified as a potential future home of Weymouth Football Club.
The Terras were due to end months of speculation surrounding their plans for a new ground with an announcement this afternoon.
And rugby club officials say that football club chairman Malcolm Curtis has approached them with his ambitious proposal. He gave committee members a detailed presentation on his plans at the weekend.
Mr Curtis says the existing Wessex Stadium is unsustainable' and that the Terras have been considering the merits of three possible relocation sites.
The Dorset Echo understands that Weymouth Rugby Club, in Monmouth Avenue, will be announced as a preferred option.
Mr Curtis has already stated that the new stadium complex will boast training facilities, a community hall, five-a-side pitches, a bar, a café and a shop.
Weymouth Rugby Club co-president Des Quick confirmed that Mr Curtis had contacted the club over the scheme.
Mr Quick said: "Malcolm Curtis presented his plans to a selection of committee members at the weekend.
"We will be discussing the proposal within Weymouth Rugby Club at a future date.
"We would like to make clear that we have not entered into any discussions with Mr Curtis over the scheme as yet."
Mr Curtis was due to go public with his vision document' for the relocation at a press conference at the Wessex Stadium today. Borough councillor Ian Roebuck, ward member for Radipole, said he feared any proposal to move the football club to rugby club land would be a non-starter'.
He said: "There would be major planning issues and local residents wouldn't be at all happy about it. There would be problems with the contaminated land. The rugby club itself sits right on what was the old waste site.
"And I cannot imagine planning permission being granted for a stadium with stands there in view of the surrounding area.
"It's very close to existing housing and there's just no way of avoiding that. It would be a huge issue."
Coun Roebuck also said the resulting traffic issues of such a relocation would be 'horrendous'.
He added: "The only way it would work is if you were to create an access off the new relief road. But I just cannot see it being feasible."
Today's announcement, scheduled for midday, will also reveal how any new stadium would be funded. A relocation to Weymouth Rugby Club would clear the way for the Wessex Stadium to be sold or redeveloped.
8:09am Wednesday 27th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Paul, Weymouth on 9:42am Wed 27 Aug 08
Councillor Roebuck, have you actually ASKED any of the residents in the area about this? Please don't assume "residents wouldn't be at all happy about it" I live 1 minute walk away from the site, and say, FANTASTIC. The site needs sorting out its a MESS....AND ITS YOUR WARD MR ROEBUCK!!!
Councillor Roebuck, have you actually ASKED any of the residents in the area about this? Please don't assume "residents wouldn't be at all happy about it" I live 1 minute walk away from the site, and say, FANTASTIC. The site needs sorting out its a MESS....AND ITS YOUR WARD MR ROEBUCK!!!
Posted by: weymouthfred, weymouth on 10:00am Wed 27 Aug 08
Living in Councillor Roebuck's ward, I am suprised he has made such a rash statement without seeing the plans first. I'm a local resident and I would be more than happy with new sporting faciliites in the area. Good to see my local councillor backing sport..... shame he wasn't voted out last May.
Living in Councillor Roebuck's ward, I am suprised he has made such a rash statement without seeing the plans first. I'm a local resident and I would be more than happy with new sporting faciliites in the area. Good to see my local councillor backing sport..... shame he wasn't voted out last May.
Posted by: James, Upwey on 10:16am Wed 27 Aug 08
Should not underestimate the difficulties. Would need to provide car parking for some 700 cars based on Wessex Stadium provision? Problems with contamination and flood risk could be a significant cost.
Should not underestimate the difficulties. Would need to provide car parking for some 700 cars based on Wessex Stadium provision? Problems with contamination and flood risk could be a significant cost.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 10:50am Wed 27 Aug 08
Perhaps ASDA could then move to the Wessex Stadium site. To accommodate the increased traffic on Redlands, they could restore the 4 lane road that this used to be.
Perhaps ASDA could then move to the Wessex Stadium site. To accommodate the increased traffic on Redlands, they could restore the 4 lane road that this used to be.
Posted by: stephen b., weymouth on 11:57am Wed 27 Aug 08
I recall the Wessex Stadium's plans...everything including a gymkhana area...and what did we actually get????
I recall the Wessex Stadium's plans...everything including a gymkhana area...and what did we actually get????
Posted by: stephen b., weymouth on 11:58am Wed 27 Aug 08
I remember the plans for the Wessex Stadium...and what did we actually get??
I remember the plans for the Wessex Stadium...and what did we actually get??
Posted by: Voice Of Reason, Weymouth on 12:21pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Maybe they would be looking to have an access road from the propsed relief road (any stadium development would take some time to complete) If they are looking to use Monmouth Avenue as access, they need to re-consider. If Weymouth FC do move to the rugby club, maybe there will be facilities for the rugby club? Obviously they cannot share a pitch, but maybe have a rugby pitch as well?
Maybe they would be looking to have an access road from the propsed relief road (any stadium development would take some time to complete) If they are looking to use Monmouth Avenue as access, they need to re-consider. If Weymouth FC do move to the rugby club, maybe there will be facilities for the rugby club? Obviously they cannot share a pitch, but maybe have a rugby pitch as well?
Posted by: chanticleer, here, there and everywhere on 2:16pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Presumably Mr Curtis has forgotten just how contaminated the Lodmoor North Landfill/Rugby Club site is?
Investigations by DCC for its 'Green Route' proposals revealed that, as well as the normal contents which one would expect to be present on a co-disposal landfill, this particular site was contaminated with 'Red List' chemicals, i.e. very dangerous and persistent toxic substances. The difficulties presented by cutting into Lodmoor North was a major factor for the selection of the present 'Orange Route', which will instead just involve covering the tip with a 2 metre 'cap', providing a limited amount of drainage, and the construction a Park and Ride site.
Construction on the scale of that demanded by a Football stadium would demand the removal of vast amounts of extremely contaminated waste, at a prohibitive cost - is WFC really that rich?
Presumably Mr Curtis has forgotten just how contaminated the Lodmoor North Landfill/Rugby Club site is?
Investigations by DCC for its 'Green Route' proposals revealed that, as well as the normal contents which one would expect to be present on a co-disposal landfill, this particular site was contaminated with 'Red List' chemicals, i.e. very dangerous and persistent toxic substances. The difficulties presented by cutting into Lodmoor North was a major factor for the selection of the present 'Orange Route', which will instead just involve covering the tip with a 2 metre 'cap', providing a limited amount of drainage, and the construction a Park and Ride site.
Construction on the scale of that demanded by a Football stadium would demand the removal of vast amounts of extremely contaminated waste, at a prohibitive cost - is WFC really that rich?
Posted by: Dave S, Weymouth on 3:51pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Access is from not from Monmouth Ave.
Its all here:
http://www.theterras
.co.uk/website/dt35h
z/new%20stadium%20pl
ans.htm
Access is from not from Monmouth Ave.
Its all here:
http://www.theterras
.co.uk/website/dt35h
z/new%20stadium%20pl
ans.htm
Posted by: Voice Of Reason, Weymouth on 5:50pm Wed 27 Aug 08
The Dorset Echo with it's finger on the pulse..I don't think! The news regarding the new stadium plans has been released, yet they still don't appear on the Echo website. Thank you to Dave S for providing the link to the Terras website. The Dorset Echo don't seem to report on anything of any note- the new stadium plans for Weymouth- no news. The army of diggers on the fields next to Littlemoor Road by Somerfield (are they starting the bypass?)- no news. Cow gets stuck in mud- lots of coverage. Man hurts himself in DIY accident- front page. Come on Dorset Echo- I appreciate that you are a local newspaper, but please try and tell us what it actually going on! The website can be updated at a touch of a button 24 hours a day.
The Dorset Echo with it's finger on the pulse..I don't think! The news regarding the new stadium plans has been released, yet they still don't appear on the Echo website. Thank you to Dave S for providing the link to the Terras website. The Dorset Echo don't seem to report on anything of any note- the new stadium plans for Weymouth- no news. The army of diggers on the fields next to Littlemoor Road by Somerfield (are they starting the bypass?)- no news. Cow gets stuck in mud- lots of coverage. Man hurts himself in DIY accident- front page. Come on Dorset Echo- I appreciate that you are a local newspaper, but please try and tell us what it actually going on! The website can be updated at a touch of a button 24 hours a day.
Posted by: ian, radipole on 7:13pm Wed 27 Aug 08
I would be disappinted to see the open space so near the houses filled in with a stadium and next to the nature reserve. Presumably the speedway will not come with it unless the residents want the noise that goes with it. That's fine if you are there but I can hear it in Radipole.
I would be disappinted to see the open space so near the houses filled in with a stadium and next to the nature reserve. Presumably the speedway will not come with it unless the residents want the noise that goes with it. That's fine if you are there but I can hear it in Radipole.
Posted by: Paul, Weymouth on 7:28pm Wed 27 Aug 08
I think our wonderful councillor has been caught up in a game here. He has made a comment without looking at the plans. And the Echo have made something out of it, just a 3 or 4 hours before the 1200 Press conference!
At least give the club a bit of courtesy and look at the plans, and even more what it has to offer, before rejecting them. Fine if you have reservations, but to dismiss it out of hand is crazy. Open trap door, put in councillor, close trap door. That's journalism for ya.
I think our wonderful councillor has been caught up in a game here. He has made a comment without looking at the plans. And the Echo have made something out of it, just a 3 or 4 hours before the 1200 Press conference!
At least give the club a bit of courtesy and look at the plans, and even more what it has to offer, before rejecting them. Fine if you have reservations, but to dismiss it out of hand is crazy. Open trap door, put in councillor, close trap door. That's journalism for ya.
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 9:23pm Wed 27 Aug 08
How about the Asda site ?
That will upset the "TERRRAS"
Probably room for a proper BYPASS amongst all the plotting & scheeming.....
2012
2016
2020
???
How about the Asda site ?
That will upset the "TERRRAS"
Probably room for a proper BYPASS amongst all the plotting & scheeming.....
2012
2016
2020
???
Posted by: Perry Winkle, Weymouth on 10:53pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Went to the presentation at the Wessex Stadium - this is a wonderful opportunity for the club and Weymouth, as a town, to progress. And there is direct access from the relief road and the site is adajacent to the park and ride - perfect! Councillor Roebuck - you are completely wrong and I suggest you look at the plans before commenting in future!
Up the Terras!
Went to the presentation at the Wessex Stadium - this is a wonderful opportunity for the club and Weymouth, as a town, to progress. And there is direct access from the relief road and the site is adajacent to the park and ride - perfect! Councillor Roebuck - you are completely wrong and I suggest you look at the plans before commenting in future!
Up the Terras!
Posted by: weymouthfox, Weymouth on 11:02pm Wed 27 Aug 08
Is this the same Weymouth Rugby Club who said their pitches were unplayable because the surface was so uneven and glass kept coming up to the surface. And the same Rugby Club who has been pleading poverty when it comes to paying back their loan to the council. I can understand Councillor Roebuck, living in Weymouth Bay Avenue, he will get hordes of football supporters parking in his road and in front of his gate. If the ground is as contaminated as I've heard people say, how can a stadium be built on it. On the other hand, Howard Holdings have got away with all their ruses, so perhaps Malcolm Curtis is on a winner with the council. Money always impresses the planners.
Is this the same Weymouth Rugby Club who said their pitches were unplayable because the surface was so uneven and glass kept coming up to the surface. And the same Rugby Club who has been pleading poverty when it comes to paying back their loan to the council. I can understand Councillor Roebuck, living in Weymouth Bay Avenue, he will get hordes of football supporters parking in his road and in front of his gate. If the ground is as contaminated as I've heard people say, how can a stadium be built on it. On the other hand, Howard Holdings have got away with all their ruses, so perhaps Malcolm Curtis is on a winner with the council. Money always impresses the planners.
Posted by: Perry Winkle, Weymouth on 11:40pm Wed 27 Aug 08
[quote][bold]weymouthfox[/bold] wrote:
Is this the same Weymouth Rugby Club who said their pitches were unplayable because the surface was so uneven and glass kept coming up to the surface. And the same Rugby Club who has been pleading poverty when it comes to paying back their loan to the council. I can understand Councillor Roebuck, living in Weymouth Bay Avenue, he will get hordes of football supporters parking in his road and in front of his gate. If the ground is as contaminated as I've heard people say, how can a stadium be built on it. On the other hand, Howard Holdings have got away with all their ruses, so perhaps Malcolm Curtis is on a winner with the council. Money always impresses the planners.[/quote] Balls! There is no link to the stadium from Monmouth Avenue. It is via the new relief road only and parking will be in the park & ride site.
Stop being negative and cynical.
The club motto is "Forward Together" - get it!
Up the Terras!
weymouthfox wrote:
Is this the same Weymouth Rugby Club who said their pitches were unplayable because the surface was so uneven and glass kept coming up to the surface. And the same Rugby Club who has been pleading poverty when it comes to paying back their loan to the council. I can understand Councillor Roebuck, living in Weymouth Bay Avenue, he will get hordes of football supporters parking in his road and in front of his gate. If the ground is as contaminated as I've heard people say, how can a stadium be built on it. On the other hand, Howard Holdings have got away with all their ruses, so perhaps Malcolm Curtis is on a winner with the council. Money always impresses the planners.
Balls! There is no link to the stadium from Monmouth Avenue. It is via the new relief road only and parking will be in the park & ride site.
Stop being negative and cynical.
The club motto is "Forward Together" - get it!
Up the Terras!
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