Click here to listen to an audio update from Vice-Chairman, Paul Hopkins.
Clarets fans have pulled together during recent seasons to raise sufficient funds to erect a covered terracing structure behind the goal at the far end of Melbourne Stadium which will enhance the atmosphere on matchdays. The name of the removable Roll-On, Roll-Off Terracing facility has been shortened to ‘RORO’, and the fundraising effort continues after various twists and turns but the process is nearing completion and the latest updates can be viewed below.
First Unit in Place (11th April Update)! The very first units of the Covered ROR have been positioned ahead of the grand opening against Farnborough this Saturday, 15th April.
Bucket Collection News! The bucket collection made a superb £89 at the Lewes game and the raffle at the supporters' lunch made an even more superb £225! 50 supporters took part in the lunch, which proved to be a success, and another date will be booked for the new season. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
We're On Target (31st March Update)! Work is now underway on the ground works required to be put in place before the units can be installed, and fingers are being crossed that no troublesome rain makes things awkward! Paul Hopkins and the organising team would like to thank the group of supporters who helped to move the existing RORO terracing to make way for the work to be undertaken.
RORO Project Primed for Farnborough (21st March 2011 Update)! Chelmsford City fans have a date for the opening of their much-awaited covered terracing ‘set in concrete’ after a detailed schedule was formulated to put ground works in place and install the units with fittings in time for the big Blue Square Bet South game against Farnborough on Saturday 16th April, where fans can help roar their team towards the top!
Vice-Chairman Paul Hopkins and the fundraising team for the upgrade at Melbourne Stadium have thanked fans for their patience during a lengthy process to complete the project. But it’s been confirmed that the structures will be well worth the perseverance once they’re in place for their debut against playoff contenders Farnborough.
Thursday 31st March will see the two-day breaking out of the hard standing behind the goal at the far end of the ground take place before foundations can be excavated for a further two days. A reinforcement will be installed during the 4th and 5th April then concrete will be added to the foundations once that is complete.
City will take delivery of the units themselves from Pleshey Forge on Monday 11th April so they can then be installed, along with emergency lighting if required, public address outlets and sponsor boards that week. The terracing will then be available for use for the very first time at the meeting of the two promotion hopefuls that Saturday.
Covered Terracing Approval (3rd March 2011 Update): Chelmsford City Vice-Chairman Paul Hopkins is delighted that “the patience of everyone concerned has paid off” after receiving confirmation that Building Regulations approval has been granted for the club’s covered ‘Roll-On, Roll-Off’ terracing developments today.
The project, driven by fundraising efforts from the club’s supporters and the knowhow of a small group of dedicated volunteers, has now reached the stage where the club can “push the button” on the production and installation of the terracing behind the far goal at Melbourne Stadium as written consent is being drafted by the Building Control Officer.
Hopkins will now arrange an urgent meeting with the Supporters Club, who have been collecting funds towards the costs, to confirm the financial position before taking the next step. He said: “This is the news we’ve been waiting for and it’s great to know the project is now entirely in our own hands. Once we’ve discussed the financial details we can start work!”
“We’ll need to instruct the manufacturers to proceed with the construction of the units while ground works will be arranged to run in tandem over the next few weeks. This has been a very long and complicated process but our supporters will soon be able to see the fruits of all their hard work and begin to create a brilliant atmosphere inside the new facilities!”
Supporters Club Statement - RORO Progress (19th February 2011 Update)
The Supporters Club (SC) are asking supporters to continue raising money to complete the project to get covered Roll-On, Roll-Off Terracing (RORO) in place at the far end of the pitch. The Board of Directors are very grateful that the cash is being raised and continue to be astounded at the amount that has been raised so far - somewhere in the region of up to £30k.
The SC have sought the advice and help of one of the Board of Directors due to his expertise in the field of building and he has stepped up and, in conjunction with key members of the SC, has been responsible for the planning process. So the Club is not, as has been suggested, leading or having the final say on the project.
Funds from the SC ring-fenced account are not being handed over to the Club. When the bills start coming in (and we have paid some already) the SC will write a cheque for that amount to the club who then, due to VAT matters, raise a cheque internally. The final (hopefully) correspondence related to the clarifications asked by the planners has been submitted and we are waiting for the fire brigade to pay a visit where Paul Roberts will go through evacuation procedures from the new terracing.
As soon as we have a definitive “yes”, Pleshey Forge will go into production and the units will start arriving and going up. The terracing has to be removable. It also has to conform with health and safety standards, including the formal training of key members of the ‘fencing crew’ in how to lift and move it safely. Due to the weight of each section, a special ‘bogey’ has had to be made to assist in its removal and movement.
As the new units will take up more space than the old units, there are going to be associated ground works. Again we will look to source this to local firms at a competitive price. This all adds to the cost and, regrettably, our current funds are not going to cover every aspect of this. The Board have to focus on the football and cannot be expected to reach the shortfall between them so we, the SC, agreed to continue raising funds in an attempt to cover the entire project. However, it is recognised that the bucket collections have dwindled and that is why a few more fundraisers are on the horizon.
Aaron Desmond [Commercial Manager], has been asked if he can assist by finding any businesses who would be interested in purchasing one or more complete units, which would help the SC to reach the final costs. However, the SC would not expect this to distract Aaron from his job which, in the current climate, is difficult enough.
The SC remain committed to the project and the units will start to go into production as soon as we have a “yes”, and fundraising may continue as they are made. I understand that the units can be on site in approximately two weeks after we push the “go” button. Due to restrictions and matters over which we have no control, it is not feasible to go for 20 units. Twelve is the maximum we can have whilst still conforming with regulations.
Currently the SC has enough to pay for the majority, but not all of the work. Hence, we continue fundraising. If only it were so simple as “we’ve got to £27k”, but it is not. It is very difficult to say what the short-fall is, since we continue to look at ways of reducing costs. Pleshey Forge are being as fair as they can to us without putting themselves out of business but, with all the modifications, the units don’t come cheap.
If there is anyone who still wants to make a significant donation, please come and speak to one of the SC Committee Members. Otherwise, we continue to ask for your support in filling the buckets and attending fundraisers such as the Race Night etc.
Thanks for your patience,
Judith Roberts.
