Stanley Park Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Artist's impression of the proposed stadium |
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| Location | Liverpool, England |
|---|---|
| Built | On hold |
| Opened | TBA |
| Owner | Liverpool F.C. |
| Operator | Liverpool F.C. |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost | estimated £400 million[1] |
| Architect | HKS, Inc.[2] |
| Project Manager | KUD International |
| Structural engineer | Ramboll Whitbybird |
| General Contractor | Laing O'Rourke |
| Tenants | |
| Liverpool FC (from TBC) | |
Stanley Park Stadium is a proposed title of the planned football stadium to be built in Stanley Park, Liverpool, England. The stadium was given planning permission in February 2003. The new stadium was scheduled to open in August 2012, however apart from some minor site preparation work, no construction has taken place. Work will not start until economic conditions improve.[3]
Construction was expected to begin in 2006, Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry announced on 5 October 2008 that although the stadium would still be built, work would be delayed until economic conditions improve. Small scale preliminary site preparation began in 2008 following the City Council's approval of the plans in May, and the stadium was due to be finished by 2011. There is currently no official date for resumption of construction or completion. On 18 September Liverpool's co-owner, Tom Hicks, re-iterated that plans to build the new stadium will go forward, although the date is still unknown. Hicks insists that since so much money has already been put into the development of the stadium, it is necessary that construction begin when the economy normalises again.[1][3]
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[edit] Stanley Park Railway Station
In February 2008, it was revealed that Liverpool FC are looking to build a new rail station. Three locations have been looked at; Utting Avenue, Stanley Park Avenue and Pinehurst Avenue.[4]
[edit]
Due to the government's rejection of Everton FC's stadium project and financial problems at both clubs, there has been speculation in the media as to a joint stadium project[5]. Such a project has received support from the leader of Liverpool city council and the chief of Liverpool's bid to host matches as part of an English 2018 World Cup bid [6].
[edit] Publicised Problems
[edit] Construction Delays
In a further development, it was reported on 26 August 2008 that construction of the stadium would be "delayed in the short-term", but that any delay would be used to "revisit plans" for the stadium to have a capacity of 73,000.[7][1]
[edit] Financial Shortfall
Telegraph reported, "there are now serious doubts over whether the two Americans will raise the necessary finance for a project that is estimated to cost £350 million. Within the next year [2009], they must also either extend or refinance the £350 million loan that they took out with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the American bank, Wachovia, in January. The latest setback to the credibility of Hicks and Gillett has prompted renewed calls for them to sell the club, with Dubai International Capital's takeover offer of about £400 million still on the table.
[edit] MP Early Day Motion
Peter Kilfoyle MP put forward an Early Day Motion that would prevent Royal Bank of Scotland from reviewing their loan with Liverpool FC potentially forcing the existing owners to sell the club.[8]
[edit] History
Liverpool were approached by Liverpool City Council to become a tenant on the flagship King's Dock project. Liverpool FC rejected the offer because the site would only be suitable for a 50,000 capacity stadium.[9]
At the same time, rivals Everton F.C. informally inquired about building on North West section of Stanley Park, Liverpool but were deterred when told that a Victorian covenant was in place. Liverpool's CEO Rick Parry threatened to move Liverpool into a neighbouring borough on Merseyside because the only other site he considered viable was to become a residential estate in Garston.[9]
The City Council then offered Everton F.C. the opportunity to become tenants of King's Dock. Everton agreed to this as they would only need to raise £30million for a 50,000 capacity stadium and the rest would be paid for with public money.[9]
Sensing an opportunity, Rick Parry told Liverpool City Council that Liverpool FC wanted to build on the South East area of Stanley Park and that they were considering leaving the city boundaries and taking millions of pounds of income that would usually be paid to the council with them. The City Council reluctantly agreed to Parry's demands and Parry told the press that the solution was "under our noses all along".[9]
Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright chose not to complain because they were being given financial support from the public sector.
Plans were resisted by local residents and Friends of Stanley Park who did not want to lose parkland for a football stadium.
The stadium, was initially scheduled to open in 2006,[10] with the capacity of approximately 55,000 seats, plans were later revised to increase the capacity to 60,000 with the option to expand to 73,000 if necessary.[11]
The stadium will be anchored by an expanded 18,500-seat standalone Kop, an increase of more than 5,000 seats. The parabolic roof of the Kop stand is designed to focus the supporters' volume towards the pitch. The stadium is arranged in a traditional 4 stand configuration, bringing supporters closer to the pitch than in modern bowl stadia. If built in time, the stadium could be used to host matches at the 2018 World Cup, should England win the right to host the tournament.
It has been reported that, should funding prove sufficiently difficult to acquire, there is a possibility that the stadium will be co-financed by Everton FC, who are also looking into the possibility of a controversial new stadium in Kirkby,[12] although this has been strenuously denied by Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks.[13]
The stadium was given final planning permission on 19 June 2008 and minor site preparation began on 24 June 2008.[14] On 15 May, Carlsberg stated their interest in a sponsorship deal of the stadium name, proposing Carlsberg Anfield. Neither the company nor the club has elaborated on whether this will occur.[15][16][17] On 12 September 2009, Standard Charted signed a new shirt sponsership deal with the club. This means that on July 2010, Carlsberg will no longer be Liverpool's shirt sponsor; it is unclear how this will affect any potential stadium sponsorship or naming rights.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Liverpool stadium faces new delay
- ^ Liverpool FC reveals new HKS stadium design
- ^ a b "Liverpool stadium plan put on hold". BBC Sport. 2008-10-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7653369.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ Bartlett, David (Feb 22 2008). "Three sites on list for new Liverpool FC train station". Liverpool Daily Post. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/02/22/three-sites-on-list-for-new-liverpool-fc-train-station-64375-20508912/. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article6934272.ece
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jun/07/liverpool-everton-stadium-share
- ^ Reds confirm new LFC stadium delay
- ^ MPs stage coup over new Liverpool FC stadium
- ^ a b c d Prentice, David (April 31 2007). "Food for thought over the long Mersey grounds debate". Liverpool Echo. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/columnists/2007/08/31/food-for-thought-over-the-long-mersey-grounds-debate-100252-19715135/. Retrieved 09 December 2009.
- ^ http://www.footballeconomy.com/archive/archive_2003_oct_01.htm
- ^ Liverpool FC official web page on stadium plans
- ^ Liverpool-Everton groundshare back on agenda
- ^ Tom Hicks slams talk of stadium share
- ^ Work starts on Reds ground
- ^ http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/News/Articlex/026f761852b04ca4b8e00b5f919e8199/Carlsberg-ponders-Anfield-naming-rights-deal.html
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sponsor-eyes-anfield-name-deal-1685119.html
- ^ http://www.thisisanfield.com/news/2009/05/talks-underway-to-carlsberg-brand-new-anfield/
[edit] External links
- Club's official website page on the proposed stadium
- Images and Description
- BBC report stadium approval in September 2006
- Planning Application at Liverpool.gov.uk
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Coordinates: 53°26′02″N 2°57′35″W / 53.4339807°N 2.9596138°W
