Ulster Rugby Residents Association

[Mole]

Come on everybody......... don't be so negative.......

Instead of thinking why something cannot be...... turn it around...... what would you like to see...... what could UR do for you in the design of a new Ravenhill.......

Get the thinking caps on............ you never know..........

[Rooster]

what could UR do for you in the design of a new Ravenhill.......

Get the thinking caps on............ you never know..........

20 000 capacity stadium with covered bar and restaurant facilitys complete with free multi-story carpark for 4 000 cars.
Oh and those nice people who walk around with backpacks of beer

[Mole]

Rooster (et al)

How much do you think a fan would pay for allocated off-street parking within a short walking distance of the ground..... serious question...... (and no its not my driveway or front garden).

Free beer, certainly a thought for the sponsors.... but I think we need no encouragement...... what about competition between different breweries?

Come on.... more. What about daytime..... evenings when there are no matches or Ulster are playing away and you can't travel.

[Rooster]

Off street parking within 5 mins probably no more than £5 but preferably £2.
Surely if it was open for tv coverage of away games that would increase your traffic and asscociated noise and litter problems even more
Mole what are you at here before I think you are nuts again (thought you were a serial parking ticket collector at one stage )

[bogboy]

Mole if you had said" the" Community no problem

But to be realistic Ravenhill is a large open facility and if opened to the public on a day to day basis there would be substancial costs involved in site security insurance and supervision of the facilities

Great idea in theory but the practicability of the idea makes highly unlikely

[Cockatrice]

anyone got a template as to how other grounds around the UK buy into the local community? and that we could learn from.

ps still think there is something that you want to share with us mole.

[mikerob]

anyone got a template as to how other grounds around the UK buy into the local community? and that we could learn from.

ps still think there is something that you want to share with us mole.

Well the scale is a bit different but the RFU has a "Community Liason Officer" for Twickenham and residents can buy discounted tickets for concerts there. They can enter a draw for free rugby tickets.

From the RFU website:

More than 50,000 fans were in a sun-soaked Twickenham Stadium on June 17th to hear the legendary American group, the Eagles, on their Farewell 1 tour.

Kicking off with their 70s hit ‘Take it Easy’ and performing such classics as ‘Hotel California’ and ‘Tequila Sunrise’, the band had the audience rocking in the aisles and the stands and wrapped up with five encores, finishing with ‘Desperado’.

Some 1,600 local residents had bought discounted tickets and many others had paid the £45 to £75 for a chance to hear the superstars live.

Said RFU Community Relations Officer, Fraser Cullen, who worked with police and local council officers and set up a helpline to answer any concerns, “The event was a huge success and proved popular with many living nearby.”

Richard Knight, Stadium Director, added, “This was our fifth concert and operationally it worked extremely well. The feedback has been excellent and I think we can safely say that Twickenham is now regarded as a major concert venue.

“Everyone is looking forward to the return of the Rolling Stones on their Bigger Bang tour on August 20th and 22nd.”

[browner]

A mama mole, a papa mole, and a baby mole all live in a little mole hole.

One day the papa mole sticks his head out of the hole, sniffs the air and says,"Yum! I smell maple syrup!"

The mama mole sticks her head out of the hole, sniffs the air and says "Yum! I smell honey!"

The baby mole tries to stick his head out of the hole to sniff the air, but can't because the bigger moles are in the way so he says, "Geez, all I can smell is MOLASSES!"

[craftynick]

Even if UR stopped providing a beer tent

wash your mouth out

[bogboy]

Crafty

We all know your only here for the Beer and the Bums


but given the masses like you its hard to get ones hand on a gl(ass)

[craftynick]

Crafty

We all know your only here for the Beer and the Bums

me, never actually im more of a legs man - its Ultimate that likes the bums

[ultimate ulster chick]

me, never actually im more of a legs man - its Ultimate that likes the bums

eh...yep! Especially Isaac Boss' bum! But I'll be honest, it's not just bums -I just like men in general!

[Cockatrice]

browner - good one

my understanding is that UR or maybe it was Mr Aitken or McCann did provide free tickets for the Meatloaf Concert. Thought that was a well run event and far better organised/ location than Botanic Gardens.

[Rooster]

Serious queue's for beer though

[ballpark]

The original newsletter states the aims and concerns of the residents so I myself don't think that it's too much to ask for.......

The residents’ concerns are…….
– The lack of any meaningful consultation on the proposals and established dialogue between the Ulster Branch and Residents;
– Growing match day usage at Ravenhill;
– Increasing day to day usage at Ravenhill;
– New plans for entertainment and corporate facilities at Ravenhill;
– Match day parking and obstructions
– Match day congestion and restrictions
– Litter/damage to property/lack of stewarding
– Disturbance during construction and redevelopment of the Ravenhill site

What I see here are a list of gripes and an aspiration for dialogue with UR.

There is no acknowledgement from the URRA that UR have taken steps to alleviate problems of parking round Ravenhill in conjunction with the PSNI, or the use of a park 'n' ride scheme.

Where is the evidence of increasing day to day usage at Ravenhill? As has been stated some of UR's business has transferred to Newforge.

A lack of stewarding is referred to but what do the residents suggest UR do? Escort supporters away from the ground. As far as I can see Ravenhill is coming down with yellow jackets on match day and that includes outside the ground.

Talk of our community is a little hollow. I would suggest the area around ravenhill is like your average development, a few neighbours know each other but that's it. It's hardly the Lower Ormeau Road.