Guest Bilo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 The Olympic Stadium has been a truly magnificent venue for the 2012 Games. 80,000 fans for every day of the athletics programme, seems to be able to generate a stunning atmosphere and is a real triumph of design. What a shame it would be to see it become a white elephant, as doubts over what happens after the Games continue. The stadium will not be sold to West Ham United, renting is their only option. Yet Leyton Orient stand in the way of that, understandably given the fact that West Ham would move right into the middle of their catchment area. Orient want a groundshare with West Ham, yet would they even come close to filling a stadium that would need to hold at least 50,000 to make it worth West Ham's while? Then there's the issue of the athletics track. While the stadium has had a magnificent atmosphere in the Olympics, the noise as Mo Farah crossed the line last night was among the loudest I've ever heard in any stadium anywhere, stadia with athletics tracks seldom translate well to football. For a club such as West Ham, who pride themselves on the atmosphere of Upton Park, this could be a major issue. There have been interesting bids in the past though. One I found interesting was from the ECB. The size and shape of the field would lend itself well to cricket, and a capacity of 80,000 could make it an English MCG, perfect for Ashes Tests and surely a special venue. Lords' 30,000 capacity goes very quickly, so the Olympic Stadium is a potential solution to this. Now clearly it wouldn't hold quite the same appeal for a Test match against Bangladesh, but for some of the bigger tests it would be a truly amazing place to watch cricket. The stadium was of course designed for athletics. The plan has long been for it to replace the Crystal Palace complex as the national athletics stadium, but will the interest in athletics be sustainable enough for it to pay its way? A further option is the stadium being used for all of the above and more. No one of these options alone may be enough for the stadium to pay its way, so perhaps it could become a multi-use stadium, able to switch between sports and concerts on demand and be a true hub of British life. So, thoughts people?
leicsmac Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Multi-use for me. West Ham will never sell it out and (as you said) the running track doesn't really lend to a footballing atmosphere. Cricket, athletics meets and concerts combined IMO, and any other stuff like that that can be thought of. Edit: If the Hammers/Orient agree to share with other sports and events (unlikely but possible) then I suppose they could come to an agreement to play there.
Out Foxed Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 the cricket idea is good. could it still be used for other things when the cricket wasn't on though (winter)? e.g. concerts/athletics.
Fox92 Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Not a football ground, god no. Agreed, I've been thinking this all along. I really love the trip to Upton Park, it's one of my favourite away grounds. So much character. Please hope West Ham don't move.
Matt Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Multi-Use. It's not a football ground, It would look stupid as a football ground, It would never sell out as a football ground (Well no if West Ham/Leyton Orient take it over). Couldn't really see it selling out as a cricket ground - But could be our MCG - Although nothing will rival the MCG. Music venue I couldn't see selling out regularly tbh. It's a tough one, I suppose Multi-Use for big events. I can't really see it being used all that much.
Guest Bilo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Couldn't really see it selling out as a cricket ground - But could be our MCG - Although nothing will rival the MCG. For most Tests and pretty much any English club cricket, not a chance. For the Ashes though, demand is massive. It is probably the biggest game in world cricket after all, if tickets were the right price then 80,000 would be a possibility in an Ashes Test. That would be nothing short of incredible.
davieG Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Did I hear right that the Pool and Basketball Arena will be dismantled?
Danizen Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Spurs had the most pragmatic solution but this has been rejected. They were going to convert it into a football arena and put £30million into renovating Crystal Palace. I like the idea of building an F1 track in and around the stadium. It would make for a fantastic race and a great venue but I doubt they'll win if the plan includes pulling down part of the stadium.
Guest Bilo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Did I hear right that the Pool and Basketball Arena will be dismantled? The Aquatics Centre is staying so far as I'm aware but the Basketball Arena is being dismantled and rebuilt in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. EDIT: From London 2012 website - The Aquatics Centre will be transformed into a facility for the local community, clubs and schools, as well as elite swimmers, attracting an anticipated 800,000 visitors a year. All the pools have moveable booms and floors to create different depths and pool sizes, so it can be used by swimmers of all abilities and experience. After the Games, the venue’s operator after the Games will be Greenwich Leisure Limited The two temporary wings will be removed – reducing its capacity to 2,500 – although it will be possible to increase the venue capacity for major competitions. The venue will also feature a creche, family-friendly changing facilities and a cafe, alongside a new public plaza in front of the building.
Tom17LCFC Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Should be given to Man Utd with their fanbase in London.
Fox92 Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Should be given to Man Utd with their fanbase in London. In that case we need one in every County.
Webbo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 I was thinking about cricket but which county would use it? Presumably it's in Kent's or Essex's catchment area, would they have the fan base to fill it? Do we need 3 test grounds in London? If not do you not use Lords or the Oval?
Guest Bilo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 I was thinking about cricket but which county would use it? Presumably it's in Kent's or Essex's catchment area, would they have the fan base to fill it? Do we need 3 test grounds in London? If not do you not use Lords or the Oval? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17562300 Essex have made a bid for it and fancy using it for high profile T20 matches. I do believe Kent want it as well, as do the ECB. I very much doubt it'll be anywhere near full for any county game though with the possible exception of T20 Finals Day, but even that would be unlikely. I'd say only high profile Test matches would fill it.
Amin Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Well the 2017 World Athletics Championship is being held in London so it definitly needs to retain the athletics track.
acooling08 Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 Rather leave it abandoned than convert it to a football stadium.
davieG Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 It should become the National Stadium for multi-events, maybe put in the hands of a sporting trust to ensure it's use, profitability and maintenance. With it's instant history of success it should inspire people to want to perform there, surely writing off the cost would be a clear sign that the Gov. is serious about investing in sport and recreation. Wembley's not really a National Stadium it's the English FA Stadium.
marko Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 It should become the National Stadium for multi-events, maybe put in the hands of a sporting trust to ensure it's use, profitability and maintenance. With it's instant history of success it should inspire people to want to perform there, surely writing off the cost would be a clear sign that the Gov. is serious about investing in sport and recreation. Wembley's not really a National Stadium it's the English FA Stadium. This. After being lucky enough to be sat on the home straight last night, I can honestly say it'd be a travesty if the stadium sat there as a white elephant. Future generations should aspire to perform there.
vandamman Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 I don't think giving it to a football team is 'inspiring a generation.' It should be a multi use arena, predominantly athletics
Super_horns Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 I don't think giving it to a football team is 'inspiring a generation.' It should be a multi use arena, predominantly athletics I know but money taks...
Webbo Posted 12 August 2012 Posted 12 August 2012 money taks... But it don't sing and dance and it don't wak.
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