Raiders to build their own arena

Raiders as drawn up plans to build a basketball arena, it will be bigger then the Pavilion which holds 1,400 to 1,500 for basketball games. They have done the financial work, it just getting the money needed. It should be built in two years.

Quote :

Widdecombe also revealed that the club had plans to move into its own dedicated basketball arena in the future and estimated that move was 'probably two years' away'.  

Raiders' present venue is the Plymouth Pavilions, where Raiders lease space, but it 'was not like having your own home court'.  Widdecombe said: "It's something we're working on – we want our own dedicated arena.  "The plans have been drawn up. We've done the financial work. Now it's getting the money we need and planning permission.  "There is not one club in the BBL that has its own dedicated arena.  
"Leicester and Newcastle are working on it and we are working on it, but it is not something which happens overnight."  

Part of the attraction of a pure basketball arena is that Raiders would be practising on a court on which they also play their BBL games, a situation which does not exist at present.  Raiders have also long looked for a venue which would up the capacity at the Pavilions, which can house 1,400-1,500 fans.

This would appear to rule out combining with Ice rink at HHP MkII. Wonder if they intend it to be able to hold concerts etc in competition with Pavillions?

Would say two years is optomistic if they haven't identified site yet

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/room-prima-donnas-Raiders/story-23023311-detail/story.html

they dont have a pot to piss in so i highly doubt they will do it at all. Hey move them into Home Park

Tgwu wrote:

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/room-prima-donnas-Raiders/story-23023311-detail/story.html

another owner who ignores fans. Sacks a good young coach and hires a complete idiot.

green_genie wrote:

Quote :

Widdecombe also revealed that the club had plans to move into its own dedicated basketball arena in the future and estimated that move was 'probably two years' away'.  

Raiders' present venue is the Plymouth Pavilions, where Raiders lease space, but it 'was not like having your own home court'.  Widdecombe said: "It's something we're working on – we want our own dedicated arena.  "The plans have been drawn up. We've done the financial work. Now it's getting the money we need and planning permission.  "There is not one club in the BBL that has its own dedicated arena.  
"Leicester and Newcastle are working on it and we are working on it, but it is not something which happens overnight."  

Part of the attraction of a pure basketball arena is that Raiders would be practising on a court on which they also play their BBL games, a situation which does not exist at present.  Raiders have also long looked for a venue which would up the capacity at the Pavilions, which can house 1,400-1,500 fans.

This would appear to rule out combining with Ice rink at HHP MkII. Wonder if they intend it to be able to hold concerts etc in competition with Pavillions?

Would say two years is optomistic if they haven't identified site yet

Sometimes the city's parochialism really smacks you in the face, doesn't it?

No two things could be better suited for combination than the ice arena and a basketball court. If the Raiders have the finance, or even potentially have the finance, then they could make a contribution to the overall cost making the ice arena a more attractive proposition to build and more likely to pay for itself afterwards.

Just like an Albion/Argyle partnership an ice/basketball one is about as obviously a Good Thing as could be imagined.

And there's absolutely no reason at all why such an arrangement couldn't be suitable and profitable for all concerned to the overall betterment of the city, its major teams and its citizens.

For crying out loud somebody get the right people in the same place at the same time and make them see sense or else we'll end up with half-arsed, half-baked, half-cocked half-solutions to common problems that only a half-wit could think is the best that could have been achieved.

Better still build a bigger Grandstand at Argyle and build an ice rink/basketball court into it. Sell/lease the remaining commercial space for outlets catering for the needs of a steady stream of people using the ice arena, basketball court and football ground and bring both Albion and the Raiders into the fold early on so that they can have input on the planning and be provided with the facilities that they think they will need.

No ifs, no buts, no excuses. Get it done.

totally agree with you Francis. Surely it cant be that hard to organise...some of the people involved in all this shite must be complete feckwits.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

green_genie wrote:

Quote :

Widdecombe also revealed that the club had plans to move into its own dedicated basketball arena in the future and estimated that move was 'probably two years' away'.  

Raiders' present venue is the Plymouth Pavilions, where Raiders lease space, but it 'was not like having your own home court'.  Widdecombe said: "It's something we're working on – we want our own dedicated arena.  "The plans have been drawn up. We've done the financial work. Now it's getting the money we need and planning permission.  "There is not one club in the BBL that has its own dedicated arena.  
"Leicester and Newcastle are working on it and we are working on it, but it is not something which happens overnight."  

Part of the attraction of a pure basketball arena is that Raiders would be practising on a court on which they also play their BBL games, a situation which does not exist at present.  Raiders have also long looked for a venue which would up the capacity at the Pavilions, which can house 1,400-1,500 fans.

This would appear to rule out combining with Ice rink at HHP MkII. Wonder if they intend it to be able to hold concerts etc in competition with Pavillions?

Would say two years is optomistic if they haven't identified site yet

Sometimes the city's parochialism really smacks you in the face, doesn't it?

No two things could be better suited for combination than the ice arena and a basketball court. If the Raiders have the finance, or even potentially have the finance, then they could make a contribution to the overall cost making the ice arena a more attractive proposition to build and more likely to pay for itself afterwards.

Just like an Albion/Argyle partnership an ice/basketball one is about as obviously a Good Thing as could be imagined.

And there's absolutely no reason at all why such an arrangement couldn't be suitable and profitable for all concerned to the overall betterment of the city, its major teams and its citizens.

For crying out loud somebody get the right people in the same place at the same time and make them see sense or else we'll end up with half-arsed, half-baked, half-cocked half-solutions to common problems that only a half-wit could think is the best that could have been achieved.

Better still build a bigger Grandstand at Argyle and build an ice rink/basketball court into it. Sell/lease the remaining commercial space for outlets catering for the needs of a steady stream of people using the ice arena, basketball court and football ground and bring both Albion and the Raiders into the fold early on so that they can have input on the planning and be provided with the facilities that they think they will need.

No ifs, no buts, no excuses. Get it done.

For me i would build two rinks in the ice arena. once for public to use 24/7 ish and the other to host ice skating event things aswell as raiders home games and no doubt one day a ice hockey team will start up there.

The daft thing about this is that all the bloody dominoes line up perfectly:

1. Argyle needs a new grandstand or else it will never realise its potential and will struggle forever.

2. Albion, who lost again on Saturday and are currently bottom of the league, have a recent history of financial shortfall and entertain most of its, impressively profitable (so I am told), corporate guests in tents on a make-do basis and needs a better team or else it will never realise its potential and will struggle forever.

3. The Raiders need a home of their own to maximise revenue and home advantage or else they will never realise potential and will struggle forever.

4. The council needs an ice rink to replace the Pavillions.

5. James Brent needs to build an ice rink to open up other projects.

6. James Brent owns Argyle and land which could easily accommodate all of it in a place that it would fit perfectly both with and into spiritually and practically.

Seriously... why isn't this happening?

Brent, Evans, Widdicombe, Mr Albion (whoever you are) please get your collective shits together, show some vision, initiative and co-operation and bloody get it done.

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

Czarcasm wrote:

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

hence why its a good idea to build two rinks in one arena. make it worthwhile building and make money may aswell innit.

Surely the Raiders players would slip over though ?

Seriously though - its like Wimpey, Wainhomes, Bovis, McAlpine etc all have a brick each and want to build a house. Get together and you can build a house.

I think the Argyle / Albion share is the most obvious combination and has been for years. Wouldn't surprise me to see Excretia sell Sid James (loads of dosh) and move in with the Chiefs.

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

hence why its a good idea to build two rinks in one arena. make it worthwhile building and make money may aswell innit.

Unlikely, as two arenas means a footprint possibly double the size.

Czarcasm wrote:

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

hence why its a good idea to build two rinks in one arena. make it worthwhile building and make money may aswell innit.

Unlikely, as two arenas means a footprint possibly double the size.

not really the public one would be smaller and if the arena is multi use it will pay for itself. The hippies will just be happy its not on a greenbelt and in comparrison its a smaller footprint than the clusterfuck would have been.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

green_genie wrote:

Quote :

Widdecombe also revealed that the club had plans to move into its own dedicated basketball arena in the future and estimated that move was 'probably two years' away'.  

Raiders' present venue is the Plymouth Pavilions, where Raiders lease space, but it 'was not like having your own home court'.  Widdecombe said: "It's something we're working on – we want our own dedicated arena.  "The plans have been drawn up. We've done the financial work. Now it's getting the money we need and planning permission.  "There is not one club in the BBL that has its own dedicated arena.  
"Leicester and Newcastle are working on it and we are working on it, but it is not something which happens overnight."  

Part of the attraction of a pure basketball arena is that Raiders would be practising on a court on which they also play their BBL games, a situation which does not exist at present.  Raiders have also long looked for a venue which would up the capacity at the Pavilions, which can house 1,400-1,500 fans.

This would appear to rule out combining with Ice rink at HHP MkII. Wonder if they intend it to be able to hold concerts etc in competition with Pavillions?

Would say two years is optomistic if they haven't identified site yet

Sometimes the city's parochialism really smacks you in the face, doesn't it?

No two things could be better suited for combination than the ice arena and a basketball court. If the Raiders have the finance, or even potentially have the finance, then they could make a contribution to the overall cost making the ice arena a more attractive proposition to build and more likely to pay for itself afterwards.

Just like an Albion/Argyle partnership an ice/basketball one is about as obviously a Good Thing as could be imagined.

And there's absolutely no reason at all why such an arrangement couldn't be suitable and profitable for all concerned to the overall betterment of the city, its major teams and its citizens.

For crying out loud somebody get the right people in the same place at the same time and make them see sense or else we'll end up with half-arsed, half-baked, half-cocked half-solutions to common problems that only a half-wit could think is the best that could have been achieved.

Better still build a bigger Grandstand at Argyle and build an ice rink/basketball court into it. Sell/lease the remaining commercial space for outlets catering for the needs of a steady stream of people using the ice arena, basketball court and football ground and bring both Albion and the Raiders into the fold early on so that they can have input on the planning and be provided with the facilities that they think they will need.

No ifs, no buts, no excuses. Get it done.

You don't half go on Sir Frankie!

When the Pavilions was a Council owned facility Raiders played rent free there in a deal that saw PCC as one of the Club's major sponsors. The deal was worth approx. £60K per annum. JB is probably not as generous as PCC were and Raiders are probably looking at a route that cuts down the rent they will now be paying JB.

I hadn't made the Pavillions/Brent/Raiders link...

Reading between the lines here it would appear that Mr Brent has right royally pissed Mr Widdicombe off to the extent that instead of playing at the Pavillions and paying Mr Brent rent for the privilege he would rather build his own facility elsewhere.

I wonder if the capacity issue lies at the heart of this?

Pavillions = 1400
Ice Arena = 1500

I can just hear JB saying "I promised you a bigger capacity and there it is!" and picture Widdicombe shaking his head in disbelief.

It could be the "magnificent two-tiered stand" and "stadium capacity actually increased!" scenario all over again.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

I wonder if the capacity issue lies at the heart of this?

Pavillions = 1400
Ice Arena = 1500

I can just hear JB saying "I promised you a bigger capacity and there it is!" and picture Widdicombe shaking his head in disbelief.

It could be the "magnificent two-tiered stand" and "stadium capacity actually increased!" scenario all over again.

the capacity of the ice arena is pathetic imo. If its billed as one of the best in the south west and could host international events aswell as hockey etc etc then surely build it bigger than 1500 would be required. 3-4000 should be the capacity.

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

hence why its a good idea to build two rinks in one arena. make it worthwhile building and make money may aswell innit.

Unlikely, as two arenas means a footprint possibly double the size.

not really the public one would be smaller and if the arena is multi use it will pay for itself. The hippies will just be happy its not on a greenbelt and in comparrison its a smaller footprint than the clusterfuck would have been.

I been call a lot of name but nobody has called me a hippie

Tgwu wrote:

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

Angry wrote:

Czarcasm wrote:

The only obvious stumbling block is if they share one 'arena', there could be a conflict of usage time preference. Do Raiders still play Saturday evenings? That would be prime ice skating time. Plus Raiders training days would have to fit in around ice sessions. Not ideal, but not an unsurpassable deal breaker, one would think.

hence why its a good idea to build two rinks in one arena. make it worthwhile building and make money may aswell innit.

Unlikely, as two arenas means a footprint possibly double the size.

not really the public one would be smaller and if the arena is multi use it will pay for itself. The hippies will just be happy its not on a greenbelt and in comparrison its a smaller footprint than the clusterfuck would have been.

I been call a lot of name but nobody has called me a hippie

wasnt directing it at you.

Sir Francis Drake wrote:

green_genie wrote:

Quote :

Widdecombe also revealed that the club had plans to move into its own dedicated basketball arena in the future and estimated that move was 'probably two years' away'.  

Raiders' present venue is the Plymouth Pavilions, where Raiders lease space, but it 'was not like having your own home court'.  Widdecombe said: "It's something we're working on – we want our own dedicated arena.  "The plans have been drawn up. We've done the financial work. Now it's getting the money we need and planning permission.  "There is not one club in the BBL that has its own dedicated arena.  
"Leicester and Newcastle are working on it and we are working on it, but it is not something which happens overnight."  

Part of the attraction of a pure basketball arena is that Raiders would be practising on a court on which they also play their BBL games, a situation which does not exist at present.  Raiders have also long looked for a venue which would up the capacity at the Pavilions, which can house 1,400-1,500 fans.

This would appear to rule out combining with Ice rink at HHP MkII. Wonder if they intend it to be able to hold concerts etc in competition with Pavillions?

Would say two years is optomistic if they haven't identified site yet

Sometimes the city's parochialism really smacks you in the face, doesn't it?

No two things could be better suited for combination than the ice arena and a basketball court. If the Raiders have the finance, or even potentially have the finance, then they could make a contribution to the overall cost making the ice arena a more attractive proposition to build and more likely to pay for itself afterwards.

Just like an Albion/Argyle partnership an ice/basketball one is about as obviously a Good Thing as could be imagined.

And there's absolutely no reason at all why such an arrangement couldn't be suitable and profitable for all concerned to the overall betterment of the city, its major teams and its citizens.

For crying out loud somebody get the right people in the same place at the same time and make them see sense or else we'll end up with half-arsed, half-baked, half-cocked half-solutions to common problems that only a half-wit could think is the best that could have been achieved.

Better still build a bigger Grandstand at Argyle and build an ice rink/basketball court into it. Sell/lease the remaining commercial space for outlets catering for the needs of a steady stream of people using the ice arena, basketball court and football ground and bring both Albion and the Raiders into the fold early on so that they can have input on the planning and be provided with the facilities that they think they will need.

No ifs, no buts, no excuses. Get it done.

Joined up thinking - like this?
http://www.sharksbasketball.co.uk/news/news.php?item=447.

Damon, you were in with the Raiders at one time, where would you think they will build the arena?

Tgwu wrote:

Damon, you were in with the Raiders at one time, where would you think they will build the arena?

Good question. There isnt alot of areas jumping up at me for them to move to that they can still be of easy access to public transport for fans.

On the site of Home Park when Argyle are forced to leave.