- Abertillery-Blaenau Gwent RFC Discussion Forum -

watcher · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 35

Can we bring Dragons Rugby to the Park? Even if for only a few games???

Dragons announce new £40m stadium
Newport Gwent Dragons plan to build a new 15,000-capacity ground on the site of their run-down Rodney Parade home.
The £40m development includes a new clubhouse and training facilities and has the backing of Newport City Council and the Welsh Rugby Union.

The proposals also include residential, retail, student and hotel developments on the existing Rodney Parade site, but will be subject to planning permission.

If approved, it is planned to be ready for the start of the 2010/11 season.

Work is expected to begin in 2009 and last for 18 months, finishing before the city hosts the Ryder Cup in October 2010.

Both the Dragons and Newport RFC will have to play away from Rodney Parade during that time, with venues around the region and the city's football ground being considered.

"This is fantastic news for the Dragons and Newport RFC and for all rugby fans in Gwent," said the region's chairman Martyn Hazell.

"The famous Rodney Parade ground is going to be transformed into a state-of-the-art stadium with top-class facilities for the players, fans and the greater community.

"This development and management alongside continued strong financial procedures will allow us to attract top players and, more importantly, give the academy players somewhere to aspire to play in and be proud to be a part of.

"The announcement is the next exciting chapter in the life of Rodney Parade, a story that started over 130 years ago as a gift from Lord Tredegar."

The WRU are discussing a five-year plan of support for the Dragons
WRU boss Roger Lewis

Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis added: "This will drive the game forward with vigour.

"I have been closely involved in discussions related to the development plans so I know a lot of people have been working extremely hard to ensure this new stadium is built.

"The WRU are discussing a five-year plan of support for the Dragons."

The development is separate from the plans for a new stadium that were part of a proposed takeover of the Welsh regional side, which collapsed last month after a falling out between the Dragons board and the unidentified consortium.

The interested parties had wanted access to the accounts of the regional side, but Dragons commercial director Gethin Jenkins said the consortium has not yet tabled an acceptable offer that would allow negotiations to advance to that stage.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/...on/my_club/ng_dragons/6975339.stm

Published: 2007/09/04 13:20:33 GMT

© BBC MMVII

The Sec · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 249

We'd have no problem staging the match at the park, BUT our problem is and has been for some time access through Glandwr St and Carlisle St.

No doubt the matches will probably go to Newport County's soccer stadium, Cwmbran stadium and Ebbw Vale as the only premier club capable of staging Magners league matches.

I can't see any of the following getting a look in :- Cross Keys - crap pitch, Newbridge - crap facilities, Pontypool - crap stand and facilities, Bedwas don't fill any criteria not even for the premier division and Caerphilly poor access although they've vastly improved their facilities.

However, I'm glad to see that finally Rodney Parade is to be rebuilt - only disappointed that its not a totally new stadium for a new region not based on the 'old blank and ambers' - then maybe - providing Newport is dropped from the name - The Dragons would get the support of the other Gwent clubs.

watcher · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 35

But there is an answer to the parking issue..... use of roseheyworth industrial estate for parking and marshalled crossing point - as used in gloucester quite often for games - would it hurt to approach the dragons and ask? We support them with the junior game surley they owe the most beautiful ground in the world a swan song!!! Or suttle bus from the old lo cost car park and only allow coaches up the street? If the plans are in place early enough there would be support from the BGCBC event planning department as it would only be a couple of low key games...

The Sec · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 249

As you say it is worth looking into we'll have to discuss it at committe level as a lot of thought would have to go into such an undertaking.