01-06-2015, 08:00 PM
In considering formats that require central venues there are at least two matters that must be taken into account:
Suitable venue.
I have spent some time looking through websites of potential venues in the wider central area (Grangemouth, Falkirk, Stirling). What I looked for was something a bit more 'up market' than Grangemouth Sports Centre, so concentrated on hotels and conference/meeting centres. There are a number with adequately sized rooms so something could be found, but...
Cost.
We can't overlook this. As a starting point we pay Grangemouth about £130 for the afternoon. Not many venues give prices online so more research would be needed but it looks as though adequately sized rooms would cost upwards of £175-£200 per day. If we adopt a proposal such as Craig's (i.e. two separate finals and four days) we could be looking at around £800 - I can see that as a stumbling block unless up-front external funding becomes available.
As an example, last summer I tentatively enquired of Lea Park Hotel in Grangemouth for the CS finals. The only room of suitable size would have cost £250. The same issues would apply of course for any of the suggestions involving neutral/central venues whatever format is adopted.
FYI CS entry fees for this past season were £24 per team for each event.
If anyone wishes to volunteer to research further please get in touch.
Suitable venue.
I have spent some time looking through websites of potential venues in the wider central area (Grangemouth, Falkirk, Stirling). What I looked for was something a bit more 'up market' than Grangemouth Sports Centre, so concentrated on hotels and conference/meeting centres. There are a number with adequately sized rooms so something could be found, but...
Cost.
We can't overlook this. As a starting point we pay Grangemouth about £130 for the afternoon. Not many venues give prices online so more research would be needed but it looks as though adequately sized rooms would cost upwards of £175-£200 per day. If we adopt a proposal such as Craig's (i.e. two separate finals and four days) we could be looking at around £800 - I can see that as a stumbling block unless up-front external funding becomes available.
As an example, last summer I tentatively enquired of Lea Park Hotel in Grangemouth for the CS finals. The only room of suitable size would have cost £250. The same issues would apply of course for any of the suggestions involving neutral/central venues whatever format is adopted.
FYI CS entry fees for this past season were £24 per team for each event.
If anyone wishes to volunteer to research further please get in touch.