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New Stadium - Parr Hall Meeting
After a stunning victory against St Helens the previous evening the pre-inquiry rally had a great turnout. Fans heard about the Wolves plans to tackle the inquiry with their community development programme schemes and need for a state-of-the-art stadium for the town.
Wolves matchday announcer Pete Nutall hosted the event with great style, setting the mood for the whole event. Fans were asked to fill in a special yellow form with comments on the stadium and inquiry that would be bound and used as evidence, but would also be kept by the club as a nice piece of history. Letters to the planning Inspectorate were also completed by supporters to help the inquiry cause. 
First up to the rostrum was Chairman Doug Hoyle who gave a brief history of the club and how proud the town were to have such a history. Next came the news that the fans had been looking for, the stadium would be a 14,000 capacity, 7,000 of which would be standing in terracing. The Wolves fans clapped and cheered at the news that they had hoped for. Lord Hoyle also urged supporters to, "celebrate the past and look forward to a stadium of the future!" Lord Hoyle finished off with, "You're the Best supporters in Rugby League, so let's have a stadium worthy of your support. Let's go and get it!" 
The Mayor of Warrington Sheila Woodyatt was next to speak about the Community values of the club and how whether you knew Warrington as the Wolves or the "Wire" it had a firm place in within the town. Mayor Woodyatt added that she thought the planning inspector was looking for, "Value added in the community is something that will be taken into account." 
Leader of Warrington Borough Council John Gartside spoke next. He said that the councils planning control committee has voted in favour of the proposed plan and the council would be backing their decision 100%. He carried on to say that there were a few councillors against the plan but the vast majority were for it. Councillor Gartside also pointed that they were supporting the store as well and not just the stadium, the store was of equal importance in the inquiry campaign. 
MP for Warrington South, Helen Southworth took the podium to tell how one thing seems constant throughout her visits and work around the town, the Warrington Wolves Community programmes. The current stadium is old and really isn't fit anymore for the fans that come and watch, Mrs Southworth called for a new state of the art stadium that the town and the clubs supporters deserved and could be proud of. "We've got to get out there and get it!" 
Wolves Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe took to the podium for a view from the management of the club. Andy thanked Darryl and the players for a great performance the previous night, the back room staff for keeping the club going day to day in difficult circumstances, the council and most of the fans for their great support. Andy said how the inquiry start Tuesday 15th May and will last for 8 days, the first few days will be down to the club to present their substantial evidence, but the second Tuesday was for "third parties" who wished to speak, such as supporters. The Inspector will make a final report and recommendation to the secretary of state and then a verdict will be given. Andy finished off with, "We have all of this support and passion and we'll come out fighting!" 
Last but certainly not least was Neil Dowson, Financial Director, who presented the new stadium plans and what was envisaged. Mr Dowson started off by saying that the designs were a draft plan put together by Neil Ainsworth of Frank Whittle Partnership and Roy Partington. "This for the first time puts the clubs ideal stadium on paper. I must point out that this was only presented to Tesco yesterday and has yet to be agreed with them, however their first reaction was positive." <
The Stadium will be situated in the north west corner of the former tetley-walker site. It now means we can fully utilise the south stand. Both ends will be standing terracing, and both sides all seating. Each of the sides will have a capacity of around 3,500 to make a total capacity of 14,000. The West Terrace will run along Dallam Lane and will be standing only. The North Stand will run along Owen Street and will be all seating. All 4 sides will have a public concourse with bars and food kiosks, toilets and general storage space. The South Stand on the Tesco side will be all seating. Adjoining this stand will be three floors of facilities for the club. To the east on the Winwick Road side will be an all standing terrace. We think this will become the home end. Adjoining this stand will be three floors of facilities. This will have an impressive glass frontage. <
Starting at the top and moving round the plan the facilities will include a multi-purpose Gymnasium. Widerschool and Community Projects can be based here too. Then there are some educational rooms that again are multi-use and will be available for the local adult community to use. Next there is the club shop which will be bigger and better than before. Then comes the Sports Bar, which will be on two levels and will include a dining facility. This area will house memorabilia and possibly a hall of fame. The fans ideas will be listened to. <
The First Floor will include two hospitality/function rooms able to cater for 300 and 200 respectively. Then we will have a number of education rooms, which will cater for club's community programmes, including Wilderschool, Playing for Sucess, Learn Direct etc. It would be used by the local colleges for their courses. In the corner is a large kitchen that will handle the stadium catering. Next is the second level of the Sports Bar and finally more office space. <
The Second floor will have outstanding views over the Stadium. There will be a over 20 boxes catering for 8 to 10 people each. On the half way line will be a larger room catering for 125 people, that could be divided up if required. There are further kitchen facilities in the corner. There will be an enormouse executive dining and conference facility that will cater for 500 people. This will be as a hospitality room on matchdays. At other times it will make an excellent facility for weddings, dinners and conferences.
21, Apr, 2001
