Whilst I completely understand the issues of construction costs and projected match day revenue, I do feel we need to rebuild the ARE and include corporate if necessary in the design. We need to have a minimum of 60,000 and the increased corporate revenue if we are going to compete with the other top 7 clubs on the pitch.
Why do we need a min of 60k? Throwing out a random number doesn't make any difference if the cost to achieve it makes it less economically viable than 58k.
Decent paying corps in the Anny Rd don't make sense as they pay big money to sit towards the half way lines, not at one end.
I mean this is ignoring the fact there is a pretty major hurdle to going over 60k.
The indications from the new Main stand are that corporate has sold better than expected and that there is still demand for more. Whilst that is a bitter pill for some it is unfortunately a necessary evil in modern football finance and we do not want to miss out on this lucrative funding.
Is that demand sustainable though? Is it because it's a shiny new stand and the demand will drop off in a few years? What if the level on the pitch drops, will the corp seats be left unsold?
Also, they aren't going to say anything but they are selling well. One because it gives a good impression to fans, and two because it adds an element of limited availability to potential customers so if they are sitting on the fence about buying tickets the then take the plunge.
Ian Ayre himself stated that on last years figures alone we are only generating half of Arsenal's match day revenue, sitting at 20% of income to their 40%. That translates to most of the other top 5 clubs with Spurs already unveiling plans for a new super stadium and West Ham moving into the Olympic Arena. We cannot afford to stand still or we will be left behind and our ground has for too long (thanks to the carpet baggers and their Stanley Park stadium) been one of the things we have carried as a disadvantage to the likes of Manure, Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Main Stand redevelopment should be seen as just phase 1 in our re-birth, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.
It is the first phase, and the Anny is the second. However the is no evidence to suggest the massive costs involved in going above the approx 58,500 capacity makes any sense at all.