Welcome to the DragonDrome - Herne Hill Velodrome bike polo Planning and Discussion

Look into concrete shuttering, Kev, I think standard boards are a false economy...

http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/18mm-x-1220mm-x-2440mm-film-faced-phenolic-plywood.html

The google-fu doesnt seem to be strong with me today, this is the only one I could come up with. Gets one neg review. Cant quite tell if the 18mm sides of the panels have been treated or not, looks like it though. Retails at £32.39 a sheet plus a £55 delivery charge, giving a total of £1544 for a 36x18m court made up of ~46 panels. Probably buy 4 or 6 more than that. But although they provide "a smooth film faced finish on both sides and are manufactured to high standards, making them highly resistant to corrosion and moisture", is that for repeated constant exposure (i.e. outdoors in polo) or just one or two uses in poured concrete construction?

edit: some more options here:
http://www.peri.ltd.uk/products.cfm/fuseaction/showproduct/product_ID/1002/app_id/11.cfm

IIRC the total HH tarmac is a 36x36 square right?

We use VISA (or something like that) branded concrete shuttering for a <4yr old wheelchair ramp into the shop at work. It seems fine with repeat exposure and even ice (it never gets brought inside).

The only thing we've ever done to it is coat it in grip-paint.

I don't know the exact measurements of HH's muga tarmac

http://www.solwayrecycling.co.uk/agricultural/stokbord/18mm-plastic-sheet

just chatted to these guys, first ones I looked at tbh. if we order 1 pallet (27 sheets) the price is £75 per sheet. I know this is steep but they're waterproof and super rigid. they're emailing me the technical specs and putting a sample in the post. they also produce plastic uprights but alu may be better.

£90 delivery but there may be some negotiation in that.

http://www.recycledplasticbuildingmaterials.co.uk/plastic-extrusions-lumber.html

It's a pricier option but i reckon recycled plastics is the way to go.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EKOply-RECYCLED-PLASTIC-SHEETING-/281520051408?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418be714d0

So that'd be £3.5k+ for a court with ~46 panels... oof... I dont know how exactly how much the LHBPA has in the bank right now. Not saying the plastic is a bad idea, but if we were to spend that on one court, then I think maybe we wouldnt have any backup cash to pay for temp courts for tourneys like the Open (even if we made some ££ back on wood panel resale / return). Dearth of sponsors atm doesn't augur well either...

It's on the pricier side, but this could be an option http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/PE-HD-plastic-dasher-boards-with_1815512383.html?s=p

http://ice-rink-equipment.co.uk/listing/21854/ice-rink-galvanised-steel-screen-2m-panels-lanccashire

this is where it's at though, imagine it just sitting in a yard in lanccashire.

£95.50 per panel, ex VAT? Fackin hell...

I'm sure you could sweet talk hime though Kev. It's a proper rink with curved corners for fuck sake. Who's our best negotiator and how much cash do we have? And can anyone claim the VAT back? There must be some funding available???

But I'm not the only one.

Could we replace a side at a time? It's the long side we need to replace first right?

Sorry no news from the construction site, I think 45 boards is a big ask

Anyone have a contact phone number (not email) for Iain, or any other approachable person, at HH? Please PM it to me if you do. Thanks.

I don't. Sorry i thought I replied last night then remembered my attention was split so probably didn't.

I have secured 12 meters (in 2m sections) of 2x4 for HH.

We can thank Balfe's Bikes for their kind donation! (They also sponsor the velodrome)

It's at my flat at the moment... I think it should be used for new/replacement uprights.

#ifsoiaprove!

nice work Jim!

Try and track down a local trade supplier/manufacturer of plastic sheets. Up in Glasgow I was after some large sheets, internet price was around £60 + vat + delivery (£320 for what I wanted), thought bugger it, local can't be any more money can it?
Yup, way cheaper, £115 all in and they even dropped it off in the van.

Or approach local authority/council/playground manufacturer as they use that heavy recycled plastic sheet stuff for playgrounds, public spaces, many things etc, and ask to get in on their big account discount?

Hmm, who does works with/for councils? @GranthamMiles ?

i work for the council kind of. my company is sub contracted by them so personally i dont have any involvement with them. however i know grants for sports and communal activity areas are on an increased budget for 2015

You can apply for a Sport For All/England (?) grant of £10k per year IIRC, somebody needs to get on that shit... A bit of form filling to do but you guys should be able to manage that...

I can point you in the direction of someone who can tell you who you need to speak to and what you need to do but you'll have to do all the legwork yourselves...

Thanks TS. The last time I looked at this Bike Polo was not recognised as a sport by sport England (or British Cycling)...but it is now. When did that happen?