WOULD CARDIFF BENEFIT IF THEY EXPANDED THE STADIUM

Something what Nathan Blake said that got me intrigued, and that is a potential expansion to the Cardiff City Stadium where we could see a 2nd tier wrapped all around the stadium with blue seats.

Unfortunately this might not happen in a while because of financial reasons but it would be nice for the club to bring in more fans. It might be a case of Tottenham where the club simply won't spend in transfer window if they want a new tier to the stadium. So yeah I would like it if the club did this but they simply won't.

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It will never work unless we follow a promotion with a couple of seasons like the one Wolves just had.

But if it does in the future, the Canton needs to remain single tier but be pitched steeper to match the two tiers elsewhere and be twice as big. I want a wall.

It will never work unless we follow a promotion with a couple of seasons like the one Wolves just had.

But if it does in the future, the Canton needs to remain single tier but be pitched steeper to match the two tiers elsewhere and be twice as big. I want a wall.

Yes just imagine a bluebird wall as a stand, personally I would have a bluebird wall on both the family stand and the stand opposite, and blend in the stands around the stadium, PLUS I really want blue goal nets with a bluebird in them as a symbol for Cardiff City

Something what Nathan Blake said that got me intrigued, and that is a potential expansion to the Cardiff City Stadium where we could see a 2nd tier wrapped all around the stadium with blue seats.

Unfortunately this might not happen in a while because of financial reasons but it would be nice for the club to bring in more fans. It might be a case of Tottenham where the club simply won't spend in transfer window if they want a new tier to the stadium. So yeah I would like it if the club did this but they simply won't.

Tottenham were filling WHL every week and had a ten year waiting list for STs Sam , although our crowds have been very good its not always been full so lets fill what we have first..

We don't feel the stadium now so no.

No.

The stadium is fine as it is, we can fill the stadium whilst in the PL but if we go back down we’ll only get 15-18k a game so no point unless we get an extended run of a few seasons in the PL.

The two things I would change currently about the stadium would be the red seats to blue and to move the away fans away from the family stand.

If relegated we'll see 16-19k attendances. Any comparison to spurs is a non starter.

A tier all the way around would make the stadium at least 55,000, we've had games this season with crowds of 30,000 that haven't sold out. Stupid question really and would be an extreme waste of money, especially in our current position.

Absolutely. With over 40,000 houses in construction or planning Cardiff is becoming a City clearly big enough to sustain premier league football on a regular basis.

The earlier you build the cheaper it is. Tottenham has cost almost twice as much as Wembley per seat and little over 20 years ago the stadium of light was built for an initial 17 million rising by another 9 for the additional tier. Peterborough have just spent 10 million rebuilding their away end. Its got a few class rooms at the back but it holds just 2,500.

Our Ninian extension, in my view poorly designed,was labelled a white elephant by many but is looking more and more like a shrewd investment. If you can afford to, build before you go up and not before you come down. Put it off, waiting for certainty and you'll never build at all.

I wouldnt lift the roof, not yet anyway. but go alng with Ridsdale's original design. Put in the second tier beneath the existing roof line over the Canton and Family stands and fill in completely all bar one of the corners. That would add another 4 to 5,000 seats whilst keeping the overall stadium stadium size the same as it is now. Look at lifting up level 4 of the Ninian, at the moment its just an extension of the Ninian. Thats the bit they cocked up in the design I think.

It will never work unless we follow a promotion with a couple of seasons like the one Wolves just had.

But if it does in the future, the Canton needs to remain single tier but be pitched steeper to match the two tiers elsewhere and be twice as big. I want a wall.

Just like spurs if u extend the canton from lets say 7000 to 11000 then people willl like it!
However, it will only happen if we became a establish premier league side, we go down and get 19000 attendences

Yes if we go up again and stay there for three years if not no we couldn't fill it as it is in the Championship

I cant see there ever being a time we would need a much bigger stadium on a regular basis.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

I don't suppose you know if any artist impressions or plans for the original planned extension? Not doubting you, the only ones I've seen have the family and Canton stand with the same type extension as the Ninian is all.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

I don't suppose you know if any artist impressions or plans for the original planned extension? Not doubting you, the only ones I've seen have the family and Canton stand with the same type extension as the Ninian is all.

I cant find anything but I remember them making a big thing about it at the time. Even down to the loss of the back 5 rows of seats and the timescale. Construction could be achieved in the close season - on site that is and the capacity going up to 36k. There will be some records of it somewhere.

Absolutely. With over 40,000 houses in construction or planning Cardiff is becoming a City clearly big enough to sustain premier league football on a regular basis.

The earlier you build the cheaper it is. Tottenham has cost almost twice as much as Wembley per seat and little over 20 years ago the stadium of light was built for an initial 17 million rising by another 9 for the additional tier. Peterborough have just spent 10 million rebuilding their away end. Its got a few class rooms at the back but it holds just 2,500.

Our Ninian extension, in my view poorly designed,was labelled a white elephant by many but is looking more and more like a shrewd investment. If you can afford to, build before you go up and not before you come down. Put it off, waiting for certainty and you'll never build at all.

I wouldnt lift the roof, not yet anyway. but go alng with Ridsdale's original design. Put in the second tier beneath the existing roof line over the Canton and Family stands and fill in completely all bar one of the corners. That would add another 4 to 5,000 seats whilst keeping the overall stadium stadium size the same as it is now. Look at lifting up level 4 of the Ninian, at the moment its just an extension of the Ninian. Thats the bit they cocked up in the design I think.

I think the open corners help the pitch. I'm sure I seen it on tv. Something to do with air flow.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Big fat No.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year's

We won't need a bigger stadium in the Championship as the plastics will disappear.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

It would have been cheaper than the extension we built, no piling, no foundations, no roof and minimal support structure in steel, precast and stairs etc . Obviously you've got all the M and E which as you've just seen with Tottenham can cost and arm and a leg. But you had that anyway, in fact probably more went into the new stand than would have gone into the new tiers.

Per seat the cost would have been less considerably. What it wouldn't have provided is the 2 huge concourses and potential for greater corporate income that the Ninian extension has given us. All that said they could still do it over the Canton and family stands if they feel that adding a few thousand seats is beneficial.

I would have doubted the benefits to be honest but I've been surprised how well the additional capacity has been taken up this year. If we added another 4k now would we just fill those as well, that of course assumes playing in the premier league. With Cardiff expanding just about as fast as any UK city then possibly.

Only if the Canton stand was made bigger but on one level. Two tiers would be disastrous for the atmosphere.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

It would have been cheaper than the extension we built, no piling, no foundations, no roof and minimal support structure in steel, precast and stairs etc . Obviously you've got all the M and E which as you've just seen with Tottenham can cost and arm and a leg. But you had that anyway, in fact probably more went into the new stand than would have gone into the new tiers.

Per seat the cost would have been less considerably. What it wouldn't have provided is the 2 huge concourses and potential for greater corporate income that the Ninian extension has given us. All that said they could still do it over the Canton and family stands if they feel that adding a few thousand seats is beneficial.

I would have doubted the benefits to be honest but I've been surprised how well the additional capacity has been taken up this year. If we added another 4k now would we just fill those as well, that of course assumes playing in the premier league. With Cardiff expanding just about as fast as any UK city then possibly.

The big question is if it was cheaper to do it way you say why didn't tan do it ? And why go off the recognised plan because stadium was built to be extended easily and cheaply?

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

It would have been cheaper than the extension we built, no piling, no foundations, no roof and minimal support structure in steel, precast and stairs etc . Obviously you've got all the M and E which as you've just seen with Tottenham can cost and arm and a leg. But you had that anyway, in fact probably more went into the new stand than would have gone into the new tiers.

Per seat the cost would have been less considerably. What it wouldn't have provided is the 2 huge concourses and potential for greater corporate income that the Ninian extension has given us. All that said they could still do it over the Canton and family stands if they feel that adding a few thousand seats is beneficial.

I would have doubted the benefits to be honest but I've been surprised how well the additional capacity has been taken up this year. If we added another 4k now would we just fill those as well, that of course assumes playing in the premier league. With Cardiff expanding just about as fast as any UK city then possibly.

The big question is if it was cheaper to do it way you say why didn't tan do it ? And why go off the recognised plan because stadium was built to be extended easily and cheaply?

I dont know' but suspect it may have been the fact that it offered little in the way of corporate facilities. It came with very tight concourse, not quite QPR but getting there. The new stand has at least given us 2 massive concourses which I suppose they hope will become significant earners. To really make that work as top value corporate seating they'll have to think about lifting up level 4 by 2 or 3 feet. At the moment its an extension to the lower Ninian.

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

It would have been cheaper than the extension we built, no piling, no foundations, no roof and minimal support structure in steel, precast and stairs etc . Obviously you've got all the M and E which as you've just seen with Tottenham can cost and arm and a leg. But you had that anyway, in fact probably more went into the new stand than would have gone into the new tiers.

Per seat the cost would have been less considerably. What it wouldn't have provided is the 2 huge concourses and potential for greater corporate income that the Ninian extension has given us. All that said they could still do it over the Canton and family stands if they feel that adding a few thousand seats is beneficial.

I would have doubted the benefits to be honest but I've been surprised how well the additional capacity has been taken up this year. If we added another 4k now would we just fill those as well, that of course assumes playing in the premier league. With Cardiff expanding just about as fast as any UK city then possibly.

The big question is if it was cheaper to do it way you say why didn't tan do it ? And why go off the recognised plan because stadium was built to be extended easily and cheaply?

I dont know' but suspect it may have been the fact that it offered little in the way of corporate facilities. It came with very tight concourse, not quite QPR but getting there. The new stand has at least given us 2 massive concourses which I suppose they hope will become significant earners. To really make that work as top value corporate seating they'll have to think about lifting up level 4 by 2 or 3 feet. At the moment its an extension to the lower Ninian.

the middle tier was ill thought out, ive wondered do the club even realise how bad the plan was as it was initially used so little .personally id be chasing the architect for compo..
and losing the front row of seats would give you the 2foot , not ideal but maybe cheaper than raising it..

Given way stadium was built and way expansion was built can assume canton and family end could be built in same way as ninian stand each probably holding 3/4k extra fans

We went off the original plan with the Ninian. The stadium was originally designed to have another tier put in beneath existing roof line on the Canton, family and Ninian. It would have been similar to the end s of the grandstand and they lost the back 4 or 5 rows of the existing Canton, Ninian etc. That would have taken the capacity to about 36k would have cost much less than the Ninian extension.

Tan went away from that plan and built what we now have. He could still do it for the Canton and family though. Its relatively cheap, if you can ever use that in construction these days. Its small elements of steelwork and precast components bolted onto the existing structure and probably could be done without removing the roof with cranes on the surround of the pitch.

At the time they talked about the capability of doing it during a single summer break although you'd need to press the start button a year before that.

How can you put another level under canton stand without removing roof? First problem can see is line of sight and then roof would not support any structure attached to it.... not an engineer but what you say seems impossible given space required to put another level in

The height of the roof was the same right around the ground, prior to the Ninian extension. The upper tier was put on the grandstand side but the ground was designed to accommodate that upper tier around the remainder of the ground. Its essentially small structural steel elements and precast concrete components and assuming given the lightweight of those elements they could put it in from the ground.

When your in the Canton concourse on Sunday if you look up you'll see the upper concourse deck in place, actually you see the metal decking but above that will be a concrete floor . Probably installed then as part of the bracing in the scheme design. They would have need some bracing at that level and they might as well use the floor.

Ok you indicated roof would remain on canton stand and another level put in without removing it! if your saying have it same as grandstand level 4 would it give us enough extra capacity to make it financially viable? Not sure it would unless in premier league several year', also I'm sure tan would have looked at option you state but it must be more costly than extension done or tan would have done it the cheapest way possible

It would have been cheaper than the extension we built, no piling, no foundations, no roof and minimal support structure in steel, precast and stairs etc . Obviously you've got all the M and E which as you've just seen with Tottenham can cost and arm and a leg. But you had that anyway, in fact probably more went into the new stand than would have gone into the new tiers.

Per seat the cost would have been less considerably. What it wouldn't have provided is the 2 huge concourses and potential for greater corporate income that the Ninian extension has given us. All that said they could still do it over the Canton and family stands if they feel that adding a few thousand seats is beneficial.

I would have doubted the benefits to be honest but I've been surprised how well the additional capacity has been taken up this year. If we added another 4k now would we just fill those as well, that of course assumes playing in the premier league. With Cardiff expanding just about as fast as any UK city then possibly.

The big question is if it was cheaper to do it way you say why didn't tan do it ? And why go off the recognised plan because stadium was built to be extended easily and cheaply?

I dont know' but suspect it may have been the fact that it offered little in the way of corporate facilities. It came with very tight concourse, not quite QPR but getting there. The new stand has at least given us 2 massive concourses which I suppose they hope will become significant earners. To really make that work as top value corporate seating they'll have to think about lifting up level 4 by 2 or 3 feet. At the moment its an extension to the lower Ninian.

the middle tier was ill thought out, ive wondered do the club even realise how bad the plan was as it was initially used so little .personally id be chasing the architect for compo..
and losing the front row of seats would give you the 2foot , not ideal but maybe cheaper than raising it..

I too am amazed Tan hasn't gone after the Architects and Engineers but we don't know the circumstances. Even the contractors Buckingham should have questioned it. They build a lot of stadia and anyone in construction who spends Saturday afternoon at the football would have seen the problem at the first sight of the drawings.

Its probably not been helped by the passing of time. this has been the first season that its been used for its original purpose. It would be interesting to see some feedback from people who've spent a lot of money taking clients in there. Have they been happy getting up and down with the Ninian in order to see the game. I doubt it but maybe I'm wrong.

Its not impossible to lift it but you'd really have to want to do it. I think if we have sustained premier league football and the demand for corporate seating remains high then eventally we'll do it. The question is there sufficient demand for corporate seating in South Wales. Companies seem more willing to spend their tight entertainment budget on a few trips to the Principality.