A recent freedom of Information request has revealed it will take around ten days to convert the former Olympic Stadium from athletics mode to football mode rather than the seven days originally widely quoted.
The publication also suggests the retractable seating system was not fully completed last year and a full retraction has never been completed. They hope to find a contractor who could eventually speed up the ten-day turnaround.
Athletics stage their last event on Sunday 24th July meaning the earliest conversion can take place is Monday 25th July meaning it should be complete on Wednesday 3rd August just 24 hours before a likely Europa League match on Thursday 4th August. Considering as the LLDC put it, this is the first time it will be properly done, let’s hope they do not overrun!
Freedom of information text from LLDC dated 20tH April 2016.
“The installation of the retractable seating system is currently being completed ahead of the stadium permanent opening in the summer of 2016 and a full retraction of the lower tier seating from pitch sports to athletics mode has not yet been undertaken. A conversion of the incomplete seating system from athletics to pitch sports mode was completed between the Diamond League athletics and the Rugby World Cup in 2015. For 2016, we are targeting an initial transition time of around 10 days. We are currently out to tender and it is envisaged that the successful contractor will use their expertise to suggest modifications that enhance the efficiency of transitioning the seating.”
Sounds like we might have to bring our own empty beer crates to the Europa match to park our ar#es on 😉
Announcement to anyone who bought or stole their seat at Upton Park – Please bring it with you to Stratford
Lol lads.You just know something’s going to go t1ts up don’t you.
Hòw stupid will we look if the stadium isn’t ready in time..?
surely we would have been given assurances that it would be ready for us & everything works…. on top of those ten days would we then need to wait for a safety certificate to be issued?..
A safety certificate already exists for a capacity of 54,000. The Juventus game and the Europa Game will be limited to 54,000. They hope to get a safety certificate for 60,000 by the 13th August
I understand about the capacity side of things, that will cover exits, toilets etc. What about a health & safety certificate, that can’t have already been given on something that hasn’t ever been completed. I’m not questioning you Sean it’s just I’ve come up against those ***** before only to be shafted at the last minute.
Poacher gamekeeper comes to mind
http://www.safetyatsportsgrounds.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/safety-certification-guidance.pdf
Safety certificate is the responsibility of the stadium owner. With the local authority inspecting and issuing the certificate. Hang on ain’t they one and the same people;-)
Is it too late for us to change our minds and build our own proper place?
The negativity can be measured by the amount of grown men using the acronym LOL , you would think this is the first time anyone has come up against an obstacle usual, suspects with never a positive thing to say about the club.
We really have had all the head cases turn out in the last 24hrs.Is seeing the funny side of something banned.Maybe you should try lightening up rather than castigating anyone who isn’t a grumpy sod like you!!!!
I never realised that negativity was measured by grown men laughing.Thats an interesting measuring tool,i must try using it.