Segregation update

In the past week, Central Park hosted a visit by the SFL’s Operations Director and the SFA’s Security Advisor.  This was followed up by a further meeting with the local Police last Friday.

The previously mooted segregation arrangements have had to be revisited as the Police now wish additional covered accommodation to be provided to visiting fans (particularly for the Fife derbies).  They envisaged problems on wet days when large numbers of visiting fans might seek shelter from the elements. 

The matchday arrangements now will be as follows:

Entry Points/Segregation

Cowdenbeath fans will enter from the turnstiles at the Chapel Street end for all matches this season.  Visiting supporters will come in at the High Street end.  The SFL for 1st Division games generally expects clubs to have distinct home and away entrances.  The Police wish us to have pre-defined and consistent entry arrangements for all games this season.  The intention is to maintain a consistency of turnstile/entry arrangements throughout the season to avoid any confusion.  Fans will have the same entry point for all games rather than the more confusing scenario of differing arrangements if the game is segregated or not.  

The current segregation plan is for Category A games (v Dundee, Falkirk, Dunfermline and Raith Rovers) to be segregated.  The original plan had Cowden fans accommodated in the Chapel Street end and the old stand.  This has now had to be altered and visiting fans will also be allotted two thirds of the old stand as well.  Cowdenbeath fans will occupy the western third of the old stand plus the Chapel Street end.  In all other games, notwithstanding the turnstiles used for entry, there will normally be no segregation.  New segregation fencing is required and will be erected (temporary fencing for Saturday but a more permanent version is planned).  
 
Season ticket holders who have already taken up the offer of a designated seat in the new stand should enter from the High Street end, terracing only season ticket holders from the Chapel Street end.  If any of the terracing only season ticket holders now wish to reserve a stand seat they should contact the Club as per the recent letter sent out to them. 
 
Disabled supporters enter via the gate at the High Street end with their carer passing through the turnstiles.
 
Family (Parent with a Child) should now pass through the same designated turnstile at either end of the ground depending on whether they are home or away fans. 

Visiting Supporters Buses

For the Dundee match (and it is currently anticipated for other segregated matches), the buses conveying visiting supporters will be parked in the ground and will be admitted via the High Street end.

Toilet Facilities

The stand toilets’ refurb is virtually complete thanks to the efforts of the Supporter volunteers and GMP.  These toilets are fully operational.  It is anticipated that the east terracing block should be ready for the Dundee match and the west terracing block should be ready for the Raith Rovers match on 16 October.  If not then additional toilet facilities will have to be provided e.g. portaloos – it also appears we will have to use portaloos for home fans in the segregated matches unless another solution can be found. 

Admission Prices

The standard prices being charged this season are Adults £15, Family (Parent & Child) £20, OAP/Juveniles (under 16) £8.  Given the sizeable additional costs involved in the segregated games (police, stewarding, new segregation fencing, additional toilet and catering facilities, etc) the adult admission price for Category A games will now be £17.  Other price categories remain unchanged. 

Club Bar

The bar inside the ground normally can be used by both sets of fans.  For category A games though it is only available to home fans.  The bar and turnstiles for this Saturday’s game v Dundee will open at 1.30pm.  Please use the club bar – the profit generated from this helps the club, Jimmy and the team.  Suitable stewarding arrangements are being put in place to allow access to the bar and club shop when matches are subject to segregation. 
 
Thanks again for your co-operation, patience and understanding – it is greatly appreciated.  We know that elements of these arrangements may not be particularly welcome for home fans but please accept these are necessary and for the good of our club.