The Frequently Asked Questions for Princes Park/First Game thread

I guess the time has come for a thread with F.A.Q. for the first match home. I'll try to edit things into this as and when they arise.

Q: Will Dartford's first match at Princes Park be all-ticket?

A: Yes, the 11th of November 2006 will be all-ticket (http://www.dartford.gov.uk/princespark). Tickets WILL sell out, so get your tickets ASAP!

Q: Wow! Where can I get my ticket from?

A: If you are a season-ticket holder, then you WILL receive your ticket through the postal service - you shouldn't need to do anything! If you wish to buy a ticket (or more!), then you can visit http://www.dartford.gov.uk/princespark and follow the instructions, or you can ring the Orchard Theatre Box Office on 01322 220000. It will also be possible to buy tickets at the Dartford Borough Council Offices at Home Gardens, Temple Hill and Swanscombe. Once purchased your tickets will be sent out to your home from Tuesday 10 October.

Q: Will I be able to sit down at the game?

A: All the seats will be taken up with VIP’s, but if anyone needs a seat due to old age or infirmary, then if people let the club know, they will be more than happy to try and accommodate you.

Q: What about parking? Will I be able to park at the first match?

A: As for the seating, this will be only for VIP’s, participants in the game, entertainers, and disabled, the intention is to try to utilise Fastrack as much as possible with special fares etc. Once again if anyone has special needs, please let the club know so we can make arrangements.

Q: If the car park is going to be taken up solely for the V.I.P.'s, Entertainment etc then where do those that need/prefer to drive to the ground park their cars as not everyone will wish or be able to use Fast Track?

A: Those who are unable to use fastrack (for mobility reasons) should make themselves known to me or the club so parking arrangements can be made.  Alternatively those who wish not to use fastrack - even with the special return offer price - should park in town and walk or take the opportunity to park at Bluewater, do some shopping and then jump on fastrack to the stadium.

Q: Is this likely to cause people to start parking in the side streets which has been certain residents complaints from the very beginning?

Cars parked illegally in side streets will be enforced against - and we are actively encouraging public transport for the day.

Additionally the mapped interest shows most around half of people registered with us live less than 2 miles from the ground so walking is a very good option.

Q: If Fast Track is expected to be used on this day, will there be extra Buses being run to hopefully cope and deal with the expected big attendance on this mighty fine day?

Yes - fastrack will be making additional vehicles available at the end of the match to help move people back into town or along the fastrack route.  Before the match shouldn't be a problem because there's 2-3 hours of entertainment to soak up.

Q. I am a Horsham YMCA supporter - where will I park?

DBC Comms: "Seeing as you've forced my hand I'll announce now that we are making arrangements for some parking at Acacia Hall (with access off Darenth Road) but I can't confirm as yet the numbers of spaces available.  This is primarily for Horsham fans but there could be more available depending on weather (because of grass parking)."

Q: What activities are planned for the opening?

A:  Fun, fun, fun, in a nutshell!  As well as the momentous homecoming game against Horsham YMCA there’ll be entertainment galore, with everything from face painting to live music to help get the party started.

Enjoy:

    * Live music
    * Competitions and prizes
    * Children’s face painting
    * Street entertainment
    * Goody bags
    * Fireworks
    * Human Table Football
    * And much more

Q: How much of my hard-earned cash will it set me back to see the Darts come home?

A: Adults are £9, Concessions are £5 and for one match only, it's Kids for a Quid!

Q: Can you let us know who is opening the ground on 11/11?

A: 11/11 is all about the community and the club, with the 'official' opening taking place in early 2007.

Q: How many tickets have already been sold?

A: The Council estimate that the day is already very nearly sold out, so get in there now!

Q: What is the capacity of Princes Park?

A: The capacity is 4,100.

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If anyone has any questions to add to this, feel free to fill in underneath this post, and we'll try to get them answered.

A: As for the seating, this will be only for VIP’s, participants in the game, entertainers, and disabled, the intention is to try to utilise Fastrack as much as possible with special fares etc. Once again if anyone has special needs, please let the club know so we can make arrangements.

Q: If the car park is going to be taken up solely for the V.I.P.'s, Entertainment etc then where do those that need/prefer to drive to the ground park their cars as not everyone will wish or be able to use Fast Track?

Q: Is this likely to cause people to start parking in the side streets which has been certain residents complaints from the very beginning?

Q: If Fast Track is expected to be used on this day, will there be extra Buses being run to hopefully cope and deal with the expected big attendance on this mighty fine day?

Q: If the car park is going to be taken up solely for the V.I.P.'s, Entertainment etc then where do those that need/prefer to drive to the ground park their cars as not everyone will wish or be able to use Fast Track?

Those who are unable to use fastrack (for mobility reasons) should make themselves known to me or the club so parking arrangements can be made.  Alternatively those who wish not to use fastrack - even with the special return offer price - should park in town and walk or take the opportunity to park at Bluewater, do some shopping and then jump on fastrack to the stadium.

Q: Is this likely to cause people to start parking in the side streets which has been certain residents complaints from the very beginning?

Cars parked illegally in side streets will be enforced against - and we are actively encouraging public transport for the day.

Additionally the mapped interest shows most around half of people registered with us live less than 2 miles from the ground so walking is a very good option.

Q: If Fast Track is expected to be used on this day, will there be extra Buses being run to hopefully cope and deal with the expected big attendance on this mighty fine day?

Yes - fastrack will be making additional vehicles available at the end of the match to help move people back into town or along the fastrack route.  Before the match shouldn't be a problem because there's 2-3 hours of entertainment to soak up.

Blimey that was a fast response, Thanks DBC.

DBC's response of: should park in town.
 
Surely if people that wish to attend the whole day from the beginning of the entertainment to the end of the match have to park in the town then thats going to cost at least £5 minimum in parking fee's.

Q: Wouldn't it be better to open up Dartford Park and allow parking in here just for the day for free?

Unless there is something going on in the park on that day, it makes more sense as the park is basically right opposite the ground and theres no extra cost to the attendee before they even get into the ground.
I know you're trying to encourage people to use the Fast Track/Public transport but some people maybe traveliing from London or further afield and won't then be happy to have to pay for Fast Track & parking on top of their ticket for the game even with special rates.

Or even perhaps speak to the CTC? Only a suggestion but I do see where the 5th is coming from.

I also feel it may be harsh on the spectators of Horsham YMCA to have to find spaces - I know if it were me travelling to another ground opening, I'd be gutted.

Quote:
Q: Wouldn't it be better to open up Dartford Park and allow parking in here just for the day for free?

Unless there is something going on in the park on that day, it makes more sense as the park is basically right opposite the ground and theres no extra cost to the attendee before they even get into the ground.
I know you're trying to encourage people to use the Fast Track/Public transport but some people maybe traveliing from London or further afield and won't then be happy to have to pay for Fast Track & parking on top of their ticket for the game even with special rates.

The park isn't that close because the gate onto Princes Road is closed at present (because of river works) so it would be a long walk.

The special rate on fastrack is a pound return - and it stops right outside the station at Dartford and in Bluewater.

Q. I also feel it may be harsh on the spectators of Horsham YMCA to have to find spaces - I know if it were me travelling to another ground opening, I'd be gutted.

Seeing as you've forced my hand I'll announce now that we are making arrangements for some parking at Acacia Hall (with access off Darenth Road) but I can't confirm as yet the numbers of spaces available.  This is primarily for Horsham fans but there could be more available depending on weather (because of grass parking).

Without knowing precisely how lavish the entertainment being laid on is and the number of entertainers/VIPs. it seems to me that DBC seriously risk shooting themselves in the foot if there is NO parking at all at the ground. After all, what are the casual visitors expecting to use a cash turnstiile gonna make of the absence of parking? Ditto all the seats being reserved for VIPs. I know PP is a DBC owned and managed facility - but blimey!!!

Crikey, no seats available to fans, am i reading that right? Suggest putting in the other 300 seats then! (advertised as 1004 seats?)

The 'term' V.I.P. implies that there will be many 'freebies' on offer?

If the above sounds negative its not meant to be!

Q. I also feel it may be harsh on the spectators of Horsham YMCA to have to find spaces - I know if it were me travelling to another ground opening, I'd be gutted.

Seeing as you've forced my hand I'll announce now that we are making arrangements for some parking at Acacia Hall (with access off Darenth Road) but I can't confirm as yet the numbers of spaces available.  This is primarily for Horsham fans but there could be more available depending on weather (because of grass parking).

Oops, sorry about forcing your hand :\

All seats are unavailable at present so we can gauge the needs for council and club - for VIPS, council/club officials, competition winners, people who have medical needs, groups that need to stay together and so on and on - so it's easier to say 'no seats' right now than allow people to 'book' seats rather than terracing. It's 614 seats by the way - this figure was revised a few months ago.

On the day there will be seats for fans but they can't be booked/allocated in advance (hence not 'selling' seat tickets).  But those who need a seat will be accommodated first.

The terms VIP covers a multitude of sins really - and whilst free every single VIP will be someone we want/need to reward/impress from the world of football, local government, sport, construction  etc and show just what we've all achieved over the last year in building and 14 years in supporting.

Additionally the mapped interest shows most around half of people registered with us live less than 2 miles from the ground so walking is a very good option.

Walking is a very good option. Unfortunately nobody does it anymore.

Well Ronaldo, you'll have to start !! Anyway, we all manage to get from different parts of the ground to the bar!!

As a matter of interest Tom, will bar facilities be open to the general public (more importantly, us regulars) as one of the things I have enjoyed watching the Darts is arriving early before the match, meeting fellow posters and fans, and staying behind after the match meeting up again, seeing the results come in on the tv screen, meeting the players and TB etc.  I want to put my beer money into the DFC pot sharing venture.

Can't wait for this momentus weekend to arrive.

Pete,
I didn't mean myself.
I will definitely be walking there. Not sure if I'll be able to walk home though
That's one of the things that I miss most, the walk up Watling Street.

Will there be a colour special edition match day magazine for the big one, with a price of £2 or £2-50?

The parking restriction could give those of us wishing to bring young children quite a headache.  I had planned to bring the car down early before getting into the spirit of the occasion - returning home to walk or bus to the ground with the wife and young children.  The plan was that she could manage to take them both home in the car after the game, allowing me the chance to enjoy the post-match celebrations.  There is no chance of her coping with a pram and a toddler and a change of busses in the town centre.  The likelihood of it being cold and wet, as well as dark make this even less appealing.

I hope that a solution to the parking issue will be found, otherwise I will be relying on Grandma to do the honours and risk being hated for the rest of my life for not taking them to the grand opening.

I guess a black cab may be the answer, as they are not confined to seating restrictions.  No doubt the cabbies will think that Christmas has come early.

Come on you DARTS!