Frankly I was reading very little of the old list just because of the slow speed and advertising. Mail was not an option for me as I already get hundreds and hundreds per day that I barely have time for.
So what is the difference between getting emails and using their 'slow' interface?
The email list also offered a digest format that would group many messages together.
Although I wish this board the best, and i'm sure you have positive expectations for this board, I'm not so sure it will work. ClubGP.com started out with good intensions also, and there is a lot of useless banter on there.
Since so many people want the list, why cancel it? You can still maintain your board here, and let the list run like it always has. There isn't any work letting the list run (no moderation, etc), and i don't believe there is a fee either.
Just my thoughts.