Re the talk of retractable pitch being ready for season#1.
This is from the designers and I have highlighted the pertinent part from their gumpf.
http://static.burohappold.com/media/2016/07/Northumberland-Development-Project.pdf So instead, we proposed a pioneering
solution by which the pitch will split into
three sections before retracting below the
stand.
We’ve designed the front three rows of
the South stand to be removable so that
the pitch has room to descend beneath
them. The edges of the pitch itself will
then drop vertically downwards to create
space around its perimeter, allowing
the two outer sections to slide laterally
outward and effectively dividing the
pitch into three sections. These then slide
longitudinally into slots beneath the stand,
fitting around the required permanent
support structures.
As well as creating a bespoke engineering
solution for this unique pitch,
BuroHappold liaised closely with the club
and wider design team to phase work on
the stadium to minimise impact on the
fans as much as possible.
Our design for
the sliding pitch will aid this no end, as it
will allow for the main 17,000 seat stand –
the largest of its kind in the UK – to remain in operation throughout the duration of
the work. This means that fans will be able
to continue to attend matches, and the
club won’t lose revenue.
Just copying what I have read. maybe i am not reading it right??
The pdf is dated july 2016,maybe this is an old outdated comment?