Rangers Board Sign Off Ibrox Redevelopment to Boost Disabled Facilities

[Bluebeard]

Yes he did promise so regularly. I used to ask him way back in the days when the AGM's were held in the Main Stand at Ibrox

At last it seems you are getting somewhere squire. I remember you posting on here about the situations while back.

Have you been given a heads up on how long these plans will take to be completed?

 

[govanfront85]

Not before time.

From those drawings looks like the handicapped will either be right up the back of the Sandy jardine or in the middle of the Copland and broomie and well back from the elements.

They must be putting lifts in the stands also.

Takes up a large amount of space so will be interesting to see where those currently in those seats are being moved to and will this mean a significant capacity reduction.

Anyone who currently sits on or near the back 3 rows of the broomloan front or Copland front will be moved elsewhere.

Jeezo

 

[allygaitken]

Can you state that 2 million is multi million? I am glad they are doing something eventually but whoever wrote that article is fluffing it up a tad!

 

[GazzaG]

Can you state that 2 million is multi million? I am glad they are doing something eventually but whoever wrote that article is fluffing it up a tad!

It's a multiple of a million, so yes.

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

If it’s hundreds seats where can you actually move people to if it’s already at capacity?

And you have those big 90s unfuture proofed screens taking up ridiculous space that offer absolutely nothing.

 

[Bluebeard]

If it’s hundreds seats where can you actually move people to if it’s already at capacity?

And you have those big 90s unfuture proofed screens taking up ridiculous space that offer absolutely nothing.

The only place I know seats aren’t at full capacity is the rearmost wings of the club deck.

There must be more to this than just kicking people out of their seats who sit near the back of the broomie and Copland front.

My guess is we are digging down again.

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

The only place I know seats aren’t at full capacity is the rearmost wings of the club deck.

There must be more to this than just kicking people out of their seats who sit near the back of the broomie and Copland front.

My guess is we are digging down again.

Then will that not affect those further back in the Club Deck?

 

[Scotstounbluenose]

So this potentially means that fans in the Copland and Broomloan will lose their seats? Can see some people moaning about that.

Easy for me to say, as I sit up the club deck but I would happily be moved if it ment our disabled fans were no longer having to worry about the rain.

 

[Bluebeard]

Then will that not affect those further back in the Club Deck?

It just means they won’t be able to see the near side rouchline if you are right at the back few rows

 

[forlanssister]

That means safe standing isn’t happening then

What great forward planning - papping disabled folk into the area where most folk stand/sing/wave flags.

Starting to think the club are at it here. Either a way of blocking a UB move and safe standing, or they’re genuinely just that daft and can’t think of consequences for future fan proposals.

On the contrary it's another step towards that allied with moving the Union Bears but alas the hard of thinking can't grasp that.

 

[Bluebeard]

On the contrary it's another step towards that allied with moving the Union Bears but alas the hard of thinking can't grasp that.

Sounds like there’s more to this than meets the eye then as I suspected.

Fantastic news all round!

 

[RangersEasyOK]

Easy for me to say, as I sit up the club deck but I would happily be moved if it ment our disabled fans were no longer having to worry about the rain.

There’s more to it than just moving people though, a lot of people will be sitting next to their kids etc and club deck is a completely different price band to the Copland and Broomloan. But doubt the club give a %^*& so don’t see them losing much sleep over a few thousand fans being upset

 

[allygaitken]

It's a multiple of a million, so yes.

No, multi million gives the impression its several million not multiplied by 2! That's just tabloid jingoism

 

[Dex@T]

If it’s hundreds seats where can you actually move people to if it’s already at capacity?

And you have those big 90s unfuture proofed screens taking up ridiculous space that offer absolutely nothing.

This is actually a good point, am all for the move but where is all the seats coming from?

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

What’s the state of the offices in Broomloan and Copland? Enough space or that for hospitality/disabled access?

Or accessibility up there an issue?

 

[Bluebeard]

No, multi million gives the impression its several million not multiplied by 2! That's just tabloid jingoism

I’d be very surprised if £2 million gets us several rows ripped out and replaced elsewhere , several lifts built, access platforms built, and so on. £2 million can’t be enough

 

[Bluebeard]

What’s the state of the offices in Broomloan and Copland? Enough space or that for hospitality/disabled access?

Or accessibility up there an issue?

I have often wondered why that space isn’t opened to provide more hospitality areas. It seems wasted just now.

 

[forlanssister]

At last it seems you are getting somewhere squire. I remember you posting on here about the situations while back.

Have you been given a heads up on how long these plans will take to be completed?

I and others have been envolved to a degree in the process as the Club have engaged, listened and acted upon what we've said.

As far I'm aware the timescale will depend on the ability to raise the the finance as it'll costly capital wise and action has to be taken to mitigate the ongoing revenue reduction associated with reduced capacity. Basically it's dependent on the outcome of the voting tomorrow if King and Club1872 prevail then undoubtedly the timescale will becgreater than desired.

 

[RFC_Falkirk]

Long awaited, but will be good if this finally happens. It's been an embarrassment seeing the way our disabled fans are treated. An area that club is miles behind, even in comparison to some of our Scottish rivals

 

[forlanssister]

Sounds like there’s more to this than meets the eye then as I suspected.

Fantastic news all round!

Put it this way addressing the wheelchair situation doesn't make any harder to address safe standing infact it removes an obstacle.

 

[GazzaG]

No, multi million gives the impression its several million not multiplied by 2! That's just tabloid jingoism

2 is multiples of one.
It's not the tabloids fault you have the wrong idea.

 

[forlanssister]

Any idea what rows will be affected?

A rough guide would be those level with the existing wheelchair section in the Broomloan, I stress rough guide.

 

[Bluebeard]

A rough guide would be those level with the existing wheelchair section in the Broomloan, I stress rough guide.

Three or four rows then mate. Any clues as to where those patrons will be relocated?

 

[Big Negri]

This will be to fill time tomorrow and won’t actually happen. The board will blame the fans who don’t want to give their seat up

 

[GF1]

Delighted that they look as if they are finally about to put in better facilities. I have disabled relatives myself who could maybe get back to Ibrox for 1st time in years

I really hope it has been properly thought through though. Last thing I would want is major conflict at games between standing and disabled fans who's views are therefore blocked. In 20+ years I haven't sat at a celtic or European game. Even some of the sheep, hibs etc can get a lot of standing.

Broomloan obviously 90% stand and are used to doing so. I would hate to see them invest in this and not have thought about the conflicts that arise. Given how the club deal with the coke and Buckie brigade I guess they would just leave it to the 2 differing sets of fans to argue amongst themselves at the game if disabled section views were blocked

 

[Bluebeard]

Delighted that they look as if they are finally about to put in better facilities. I have disabled relatives myself who could maybe get back to Ibrox for 1st time in years

I really hope it has been properly thought through though. Last thing I would want is major conflict at games between standing and disabled fans who's views are therefore blocked. In 20+ years I haven't sat at a celtic or European game. Even some of the sheep, hibs etc can get a lot of standing.

Broomloan obviously 90% stand and are used to doing so. I would hate to see them invest in this and not have thought about the conflicts that arise. Given how the club deal with the coke and Buckie brigade I guess they would just leave it to the 2 differing sets of fans to argue amongst themselves at the game if disabled section views were blocked

If the disabled sections are raised on platforms it won’t be an issue at all.

 

[JW1988]

The positioning at the rear of the front stands makes sense as they’re a bit more forgiving than right down the front weather wise.

If i’m not mistaken they’ll need to get stair lifts added (there are some already in the stadium I believe)

Timing is so predictable but welcome news all the same

 

[South Belfast Broxi]

Not a chance they are putting disabled people at the back of stands with people standing in front of them, surely not.

 

[Bluebeard]

Not a chance they are putting disabled people at the back of stands with people standing in front of them, surely not.

On raised platforms. I don’t see the issue

 

[Lord Summerisle]

@forlanssister , do you know if there are plans to try to increase the ground capacity so capacity isn’t reduced by this (welcome) move to improve disabled facilities?

 

[The People]

@forlanssister , do you know if there are plans to try to increase the ground capacity so capacity isn’t reduced by this (welcome) move to improve disabled facilities?

Will the capacity maybe stay the same due to extra seating being put in with the Blue Sky Lounge project ?

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Will the capacity maybe stay the same due to extra seating being put in with the Blue Sky Lounge project ?

Don’t think that would cover the amount of seats that sound like they’re being taken out.

 

[ThreestripeS]

Probably with the UB's staying where they are as the board have intended all along.

Al call it now they'll get asked tommorow about it give some crap answer about still looking into it and that's it for another year.

 

[Mustang mad]

If it’s hundreds seats where can you actually move people to if it’s already at capacity?

And you have those big 90s unfuture proofed screens taking up ridiculous space that offer absolutely nothing.

The big surprise announcement at the AGM
Redevelopment is actually a 75k capacity seated bowl, with optional standing behind each goal, disabled sections raised at the back of each stand. Multi millions!!

 

[Papasmurf]

Improving disabled areas and a possible move for the UB in the week leading to the AGM:

Anyone else feel slightly manipulated?

 

[Herman]

So we will be reducing capacity of the stadium

 

[Beansie]

Have they mentioned anything about actually starting to reward loyalty

What, like a points based system based on attendance and and purchases? And then you get priority for semis and finals?

That would be great!

 

[Lord Summerisle]

So we will be reducing capacity of the stadium

Not exactly going to help us compete with rivals who have a much bigger stadium.

Ideally, we improve facilities and increase the capacity.

The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

 

[Forth Bear]

We've heard the same shit about them going to improve disabled access and facilities every AGM since regime change.

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

Not exactly going to help us compete with rivals who have a much bigger stadium.

Ideally, we improve facilities and increase the capacity.

The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Offset with increase in hospitality maybe.

Will probably be the only way we see increases

 

[LoganBear]

I and others have been envolved to a degree in the process as the Club have engaged, listened and acted upon what we've said.

As far I'm aware the timescale will depend on the ability to raise the the finance as it'll costly capital wise and action has to be taken to mitigate the ongoing revenue reduction associated with reduced capacity. Basically it's dependent on the outcome of the voting tomorrow if King and Club1872 prevail then undoubtedly the timescale will becgreater than desired.

So this will mean a reduction in capacity?

 

[Herman]

Not exactly going to help us compete with rivals who have a much bigger stadium.

Ideally, we improve facilities and increase the capacity.

The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

They will be though as in the infrastructure of the ground will change making increasing the capacity nigh impossible,

 

[perthtruebluetwo]

This is actually a good point, am all for the move but where is all the seats coming from?

Aren't we installing extra rows at the rear of the S.J, I'm sure I read that somewhere.

 

[Northumbeara]

I’m row X BF4 and I’m sure the existing limited disabled seating which is highlighted blue is about two rows back, there is a stair lift that currently gets used but that’s not gonna be enough!

 

[forlanssister]

@forlanssister , do you know if there are plans to try to increase the ground capacity so capacity isn’t reduced by this (welcome) move to improve disabled facilities?

I'm content they've arrived at the best practical solution all things considered.

I was pleasantly surprised at what they've come up with and I think most reasonable people will be too.

 

[Deleted member 3807]

Re timing there's nothing suss about it infact it was made crystal clear at last years AGM when the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Managing Director all unequivocally announced their intention to deal with the issue. In this case they've been as good as their word.

I expect people to be pleasantly surprised with the proposal.

And I believe this was Douglas's first time as chairman at the AGM. He personally undertook to take disabled access at Ibrox forward.
I also hope you've been consulted in the process mate. You've been pushing this matter for many years.

 

[forlanssister]

And I believe this was Douglas's first time as chairman at the AGM. He personally undertook to take disabled access at Ibrox forward.
I also hope you've been consulted in the process mate. You've been pushing this matter for many years.

I cannot stress highly enough that the whole Board have played a part in this admittedly some greater than others, they have exceded what I thought was possible. They sought out the best people and looked at various options.

I hope people realise this is an issue that is not of this Boards making and one that there various predecessors should have sorted but did nothing more than paid lipservice to.

There are many reasons for legitimate criticism of this Board and we should not shy from stating so when it merits but this is one area where they deserve huge credit and not to credit them for their endeavours would be churlish in the extreme.

 

[luckywhitefeather]

Getting the disabled viewing area / facilities should be number one priority and glad steps are afoot to make it happen

Hats off to the guy who has raised this continually at the agms to keep it central in everyone’s mind.

 

[Mr. T.]

Maybe the plan is to put the w/chair fans in where UB are at the moment.

The diagram in the Herald article would suggest not.

 

[ibroxbound]

I'm content they've arrived at the best practical solution all things considered.

I was pleasantly surprised at what they've come up with and I think most reasonable people will be too.

You have your finger on the pulse.Do you think 150 wheelchair spaces is a fair number and would they be used every game?