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August 03, 2006

Burnbrae facilities would require upgrading

Posted by Editor on August 3, 2006 12:30 PM | 11 comments | Print | E-mail author

Burnbrae's facilities would require an upgrade if it was to become home to Glasgow Warriors
Gordon Cairns, club president of West Of Scotland, has given a guarded welcome to the prospect of their Burnbrae ground becoming the new home for Glasgow Warriors.

In todays Herald, Cairns said the club believes their facilities could quickly be upgraded to accommodate the Warriors, providing them with an all-purpose home ground.

"It is feasible, but the SRU would have to put up two temporary stands either side of our main stand and floodlights, while drainage would also have to be improved," he noted in The Herald.

"We are keen to be involved with them but there's a lot of discussion and debate to take place because we also have to make sure that it is of benefit to our club as well."

A Warriors spokesperson said last weekend that they are currently weighing up a range of options and expect to say within the week which is its preferred option. Partick Thistle's Firhill is popular with players, geared as it is to professional sport, while the location of Hillhead/Jordanhill's Hughenden means it remains the supporters' favourite.

Like Burnbrae, substantial work would have to be done to turn Whitecraigs, currently the pro team's training base, into a suitable match facility but it is even further afield, on the South Side of the city.

The new Falkirk Stadium, boasting the best facilities of all, has also been suggested, but it is 30 miles from Glasgow so would be deeply unpopular with the core support.

Cairns was unwilling to make an estimate of the cost of the work required to get Burnbrae into a suitable condition but it is unlikely to come in at much less than a six-figure sum.

The link with West Of Scotland would be all the more attractive if the negotiations the club has long been involved in regarding the possible sale of Burnbrae with a move to an alternative site was to come off, providing them with the cash to create a purpose-built facility.

That is unlikely to be in place any sooner than the City of Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium development, which is targeted for completion in 2008 and the Warriors' challenge is identifying accommodation for the immediate future.

Comments
Posted by Alistair on August 3, 2006 09:00 AM | Reply to this comment

I hope they stay at Firhill, it's 5 minutes from my flat.

Posted by ParksyGal10 on August 4, 2006 09:09 AM | Reply to this comment

I think they should stay at Firhill, not only has it got a bar, it is quite central for the fans to get to, i dont really know Glasgow well so i think its easier to get to Firhill Rather than out to Burbrae

Posted by Andy on August 3, 2006 01:20 PM | Reply to this comment

To keep the support base we have and to build upon it further its got to be either Firhill or Hughenden. Moving us further out of the city would just put people off.

Posted by ballinj on August 3, 2006 01:41 PM | Reply to this comment

Please go back to Hughenden please please please please..... yes the views are better at firhill and it looks more professional but it just doesn't have the same atmosphere or as much fun. Used to enjoy going to the rugby on a friday but for most of last year it was a chore.

Posted by rhoddy on August 3, 2006 03:23 PM | Reply to this comment

If its a chore then maybe you shouldnt be going because the team will not be getting your full support and with some of the abuse they got at the end of last year it can't have helped the players, even during the scarlets game it was pretty bad. Its a new season lets start afresh and give the team our full backing wherever they end up playing.

Posted by the rusty sheriff on August 4, 2006 03:39 PM | Reply to this comment

I am struggling with this one a bit.
All of the options seem to require spending a bit of cash.
As I see it the only problem with Hughenden seems to be poor facilities in relation to changing rooms for players and toilets for spectators.
Surely the best option is to spend the money updating/upgrading these facilities. I know that Hillhead Sports Club are a private members club. But it seems that if we play at soccer grounds they benefit from any money spent, and rugby doesn't. West of Scotland are moving in a year or two so it seems daft to upgrade any of their facilies short term. Money spent on temporary stands and floodlighting seems a waste.
At least money spent at Hughenden would leave a pretty good rugby ground, and this seems to be where the vast majority of fans want our team to play.
Am I missing something here?

Posted by A True Warrior on August 4, 2006 04:09 PM | Reply to this comment

Can't help but wonder if last years falling out between the powers that be has something to do with not being interested in spending money on Hughenden!!!! From a slightly different slant if the works gonna cost around a six figure sum to revamp Burnbrae I can't help but wonder which players could be signed for that money!!!!!

Posted by ajm686 on August 4, 2006 05:09 PM | Reply to this comment

Outwith Hughenden I would have thought that Anniesland would have been the best option, Stand, floodlights, good changing areas, a bar and it is in the West end. It has also been used by Glasgow before...some temporary stands at most I would think...

Posted by hugh on August 4, 2006 08:08 PM | Reply to this comment

Have you asked Hillead what they think

Posted by hugh on August 4, 2006 08:09 PM | Reply to this comment

Fine balancing act required

Posted by Alan on August 4, 2006 09:20 PM | Reply to this comment

Since Glasgow Warriors are most likely to be at Scotstoun in 2 years, SRU are surely not going to spend (significant) money (which it doesn't have) on another ground in the meantime.It's a question of finding a temporary ground, not a "home". If it would cost the same to upgrade and rent Hughenden as it would to rent Firhill, fair enough..money goes to a rugby ground..but bear in mind that plans for Hughenden involve scrapping existing rugby field when ground sold for flats... so, not really an option?

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