General Developments

Has there been any movement on a replacement for the Motorpoint?

The arena already misses out on major acts that require 12 to 15k seats. If Bristol get their arena up then the Motorpoint will miss out on even more events. A Bristol Arena may leave Cardiff with no requirement for a bigger arena.

Reminds me of Bristol & Cardiff Airports all over again.

If it happens. I may be proved wrong on this but Bristol has a far worse record than Cardiff on delivering major projects.

Ashton Vale Stadium - shelved
UWE Stadium - delayed and almost certainly won't happen
Museum of the British Empire - opened, then closed with priceless artefacts 'disappearing'
Plans for a new concert hall shelved and replace by a cheap and cheerful upgrade to the Colston Hall

The plans for the Bristol Arena were first announced in 2003 and twelve years on they're still at the press release stage. Having said that Bristol used to have a severely dysfunctional council - not unlike our own current shambles! The elected mayor and HMG's penchant for city deals may make a difference.

It's highly unlikely the arena will fold at this stage, largely because it's reached such an advanced stage.
Most of the projects that fell through were in the very early stages of the planning process, and the projects were typically cancelled when they were unable to get the initial planning approval and political and financial backing needed in order to secure the proposal. Cardiff's status as a national capital will probably mitigate any issues surrounding an arena in Bristol.

Ashton Vale Stadium - shelved
UWE Stadium - delayed and almost certainly won't happen
Museum of the British Empire - opened, then closed with priceless artefacts 'disappearing'
Plans for a new concert hall shelved and replace by a cheap and cheerful upgrade to the Colston Hall

The issue with the Rovers Stadium are not really anything to do with Bristol and the council per se, the problem is with Sainsbury's. It was a complete farce with what happened with the Ashton Gate relocation plans too but rather than dwell on it city have since pressed on with redeveloping the current site which is now close to completion.

Fixing local public transport and getting (very) major sporting facilities built are Bristol's cruxes. Generally, getting other types of major projects through hasn't been anywhere near as difficult, and probably has a more successful track record than Cardiff e.g. successful stand alone art galleries.

The Commonwealth museum didn't have much of an effect on the city either when it opened or when it closed, save from some objects now being exhibited in other museums in the city. Besides, its closure wasn't emblematic of the state of the rest of city's museum and cultural facilities. Also, The Colston Hall foyer extension had nothing to do with the Arts centre on the harbourside that was cancelled. The latter happened almost a decade before. I wouldn't have described the foyer extension as a cheap and cheerful upgrade.

Briz-Tim,

You obviously know the place far better than I do but it did seem for a long time that the city council was severely dysfunctional. I'm guessing that's why Bristol voted to have an elected Mayor when other English cities rejected the idea.

You may well be right that the Arena will be built and, to be honest, I hope it does get done. Cardiff and Bristol have more to gain than to loose from each other's succeses.

When it comes to entertainment and events I don't think Severnside is really a single market. It's not unusual for instance to see big musicals being staged for long seasons at both the WMC and the Bristol Hippodrome. The one loss to Cardiff from a Bristol Arena might be in conference / trade show opportunites but to be honest I don't don't think either city has sufficient hotel space for things like the annual party conferences.

Out of interest is it intended for the Arena to have an ice facility? I know the old rink has gone but a lot of us here would love to see an elite Bristol hockey side. It would make for some great local derbies!

Briz-Tim,

You obviously know the place far better than I do but it did seem for a long time that the city council was severely dysfunctional. I'm guessing that's why Bristol voted to have an elected Mayor when other English cities rejected the idea.

You may well be right that the Arena will be built and, to be honest, I hope it does get done. Cardiff and Bristol have more to gain than to loose from each other's succeses.

When it comes to entertainment and events I don't think Severnside is really a single market. It's not unusual for instance to see big musicals being staged for long seasons at both the WMC and the Bristol Hippodrome. The one loss to Cardiff from a Bristol Arena might be in conference / trade show opportunites but to be honest I don't don't think either city has sufficient hotel space for things like the annual party conferences.

Out of interest is it intended for the Arena to have an ice facility? I know the old rink has gone but a lot of us here would love to see an elite Bristol hockey side. It would make for some great local derbies!

The pedigree Bristol Council have for red tape when it comes to developments is not lost on my work colleagues. I work in Bristol and it is a great city but my workmates that live there are pulling their hair over the failed developments.

However they do think the arena has got further than many and will go ahead.

I am just uncertain in this day and age that two 12k arenas in close proximity are viable. Cardiff's plans seemed to be tied to a conference facility and with the Celtic Manor development only days from having its plans passed I think we may remain with the the smaller Motorpoint

The pedigree Bristol Council have for red tape when it comes to developments is not lost on my work colleagues. I work in Bristol and it is a great city but my workmates that live there are pulling their hair over the failed developments.

However they do think the arena has got further than many and will go ahead.

I am just uncertain in this day and age that two 12k arenas in close proximity are viable. Cardiff's plans seemed to be tied to a conference facility and with the Celtic Manor development only days from having its plans passed I think we may remain with the the smaller Motorpoint

Echo Arena and MEN Arena. Leeds Arena and Sheffield Motorpoint. Cardiff needs it's own 10-15k facility if it wants to entertain dreams of a Commonwealth Games and still get big acts in the Principality.

Briz-Tim,

You obviously know the place far better than I do but it did seem for a long time that the city council was severely dysfunctional. I'm guessing that's why Bristol voted to have an elected Mayor when other English cities rejected the idea.

Of course, but the mayor actually has very few powers and even if the councillors all got along swimmingly, highly centralised government and the subsequent lack of powers and funding given to cities like Bristol meant that getting major investment for such expensive facilities upfront was never going to be easy; The proposed arts centre/opera house for the harbourside had already received millions of pounds of funding before it was suddenly pulled, as the new Labour government didn't want to commit funding the project at the last minute.

Out of interest is it intended for the Arena to have an ice facility? I know the old rink has gone but a lot of us here would love to see an elite Bristol hockey side. It would make for some great local derbies!

A permanent ice rink? I don't think so, but I'd imagine if the demand was there a temporary one could be installed for a match or two, as from what I remember the idea was for the arena to be able to host large sporting events too. After quick google it looks someone was proposing a new ice rink in the south of the city, how successful they'll be I have no idea.

I've seen some rumours on Twitter that Cardiff is pretty firmly pencilled in to host the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, anybody else hear anything?

I think for that to work the WRU would have to build their Westgate Street hotel and conference centre pretty sharpish.

Seriously? What's changed? I was under the impression that we are lacking on certain criteria for hosting the match?

It was be awesome if we could host it, but all the bollocks for the corporate guests would need to be in place as far as I know.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but I'd suggest that things might be heading in this direction. A few thoughts;

1-The plastic pitch on the arms park makes corporate facilities for journalists or VIPS in this space far easier
2-The WRU have recently announced intentions to develop their estate surrounding the ground - about time too
3- Cardiff has now proved it can host a big UEFA event (last years super cup)
4-The airport being owned by the government probably gives some assurance on its future
5-Roger Lewis recently stated that he expected the city to have a final within 5 years
6-The WRU announced spending £5m on new seats, which did seem odd to me
7-The Stadium recently (unfairly in some eyes) missed out on hosting Euro2020 games
8-The NATO conference helped to boost the cities reputation for big events
9-The softer profile of Welsh football via the national team improving, and Gareth Bale

So, lets see what's happening, but a few things might be pointing in this direction...

I was in town on Friday night for a few pre-gig drinks ('pre Castle' not 'pre-Stadium' I'll quickly add!) and went to that well known trouble spot Henry's Bar.

I spent £19 on a bottle of wine for it (no fault of theirs but of the ridiculous policy of the authorities) to be tipped vertically and unceremoniously into a shitty looking 5 litre plastic Pimms jug - due to regulations that no glass can be in the hands of the law abiding citizen when an event is on in the stadium.

First world problem maybe, but what a sad, sad state of affairs in our Capital city - and what a first impression to give to a visitor.

I trust that the all-important 5 star hospitality facilities that are all so crucial for the UEFA Champions League Glitterati will also be exposed to this same level of nanny state interference should they decide to roll in. Truly pathetic.