Peter Smith: Two-decade plan turning Emerald Headingley into a sparkling reality

The massive £40m project has been a long time in the making, way back to the old winter rugby days, before 1996, when plans for redeveloping the North and South Stands were being considered.

But since the bulldozers actually moved in, work has progressed incredibly rapidly. The former South Stand hosted its final spectators last August, when Rhinos faced St Helens and the first fans set foot on the new terrace a week ago, for the clash with Hull.

The scale and speed of the project makes every day at Headingley unique. Early in the rugby union season, when both stands had been demolished, it was possible to look from the rugby side’s southern touchline right across to the pavillion on the far side of the cricket ground.

That was a view never before seen and which has now gone forever.

At that stage, the prospect of the stadium being ready to stage a rugby league game in front of more than 11,000 fans in early March seemed a very tall order.

There was a false start when the scheduled return to Headingley, against Catalans Dragons on March 2, fell victim to the Beast from the East.

That may have been a blessing in disguise as it gave everyone involved – the builders and Rhinos staff – an extra week to prepare.

When Leeds awoke to a blizzard last Friday morning, it seemed like the Headingley homecoming would be delayed again, but hard work by the groundstaff and others ensured the game went ahead. It may not have been Rhinos’ best performance on the field, but it was a remarkable effort off it. The partially-built South Stand is already an impressive structure and the temporary North Stand – basically a large marquee with seats – proved more than adequate.

Fans on the front few rows will get wet when it rains, but that was the case for paddock seats in the old building.