What could we have in and around the Grandstand?

* Enquire to see if the Healthy Hub in town wants to open a new branch.
* Some serious resource for Lincolnshire Schools, i.e. nature trails, fact sheets, portable sun canopies (which attach to the ground only using small pegs) and history walks They could have outdoor classes followed by sports on the football pitches.
* NHS Lincolnshire. There is a wealth of research proving nature is good for people with mental health issues. St Georges (which I think is a mental health unit) is only round the corner.
* Getting local businesses to hold meetings outside in the countryside - got to inspire more creativity than stuck in a boring board room.
* I think allotments are a great idea and am sure there is space at the rear of the grandstand for this use. Also it would be good as the leases on allotments are great for tying up land so people can't develop on it....
* Weddings - if people want to get married closer to nature then they could do so in a wonderful setting.
* Night time observatories, there is little involved in getting a temporary high powered telescope on the common some nights and there is very little light pollution there.
* Maybe controversial - so please don't judge - but using the grandstand as an open air cinema in the summer nights in much the same way as they use Somerset House in London. Sound is provided to viewers via small hand held speakers so no sound pollution.
* Outdoor plays in the grandstand. Temporary stage could be set up to block out the road and the hand held speakers would prevent sound pollution.
* Making people aware of what is already there we have orienteering, tennis, bowls, cricket, football. Just an on line presence to bring all these great things together.
* Woodsman courses run by the Forestry Commission/Woodland Trust/Another woodland based organisation (who are always up for a bit of positive publicity). This would not only provide an income but ensure that the area is well looked after. We could run Willow Weaving courses, chair making courses pole lath courses etc. All country crafts which could be brought to the city for people to enjoy.
* Allowing residents to graze different animals such as pigs/cows/goats - would need to check if this was possible with wildlife/horses etc.
* City farm which grew its own produce to sell to the local community.
* A restaurant
* An art project.
* A link to all of the museums that we have in Lincoln, so that tourists will get a taste for what is there and go into Lincoln.
* A place for local schools, where pupils learn about local wildlife and local heritage.
* A place for local schools, where pupils learn to draw and paint in relation to the interesting environment.
* A place that celebrates Lincoln's heritage. The first world war tanks and planes that were developed and tested here.
* A place that celebrates Lincoln's Roman heritage.
*A small scale "Scrap Store" using waste materials from industry and business as a resource for schools, artists and others. Running workshops, setting up a Social Enterprise with training. Providing local recycling point for residents. See other models; Skegness Recycling Ltd., Scrapstore, Hull Play Resource centre.
* Combined offices and childcare.
* Reserve one room for a nursery during the day, and a meeting place for teenagers in the evening (with internet access and non-alcoholic drinks)
* Have a graffiti wall or floor
* Have a skate/BMX/parcour area
* Have fashion shows in the Grandstand
* Have Communal art work in the Grandstand
* Do we look good naked? Group photo shoot on the Grandstand
* A chess club in the Grandstand
* A community choir in the Grandstand
* Why not use it as a Mosque?
* Use it a community centre with both converting to a mosque, an exercise class, meetings, weddings
* Use part of the Grandstand as a museum with photographs of its history. Restore the Royal Flying Corps mural which is inside and display when the West Common was used as an airfield together with its history of horse racing.
* Community centre, museum, etc. complete with cafe with view of cathedral one side and canal on the other, and also a car park which could be used as a much needed park & ride
* What about using it as an amphitheatre for either outdoor gigs or plays or both? It has enough frontage to build a stage directly in front that could be concealed from the main road if required. Underneath could be a bar and multi function venue it kind of is already but it could do with a makeover.

Etc.

Let us know what your thoughts are. E-mail us at information@lincolngrandstand.com