First pictures of EFC rival stadium on Bestway site

Aug 16 2007 EXCLUSIVE by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

A CASH and carry chain that wants Everton FC to build a new ground on its land has released pictures of a proposed design for the site.

It comes after the Bestway Group enlisted the help of the architects behind Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

HOK Sport, one of the world’s leading sports architect firms, are help with the feasibility study into building a new ground on its Loop site off Scotland Road.

Architects have now completed an initial rendering of some of the early thoughts surrounding the site to produce an image of a stadium complete with an iconic sweeping tower structure.

Bestway said the tower would help lend the site a landmark status and increase its visibility.

The tower element would also provide a hotel, leisure facilities and other associated commercial uses.

Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley is hoping he can put a package together to convince Everton FC to stay within the Liverpool city boundaries.

The club’s season ticket holders and shareholders are currently voting in a ballot on whether to move to a new 55,000-seat ground in Kirkby.

Opponents have hailed the Bestway site as a viable alternative to that move but the club have consistently said the loop site is too small for a stadium.

Bestway said their new images show that a 50-000 seater stadium could fit on the site.

Bestway head of property Malcolm Carter said: "We hope that fans can see that there is a reason for voting to keep Everton in Everton."

Other early thoughts have included bridging roads to provide access to the site, making a suitably dramatic entrance to the stadium itself.

Bestway and Liverpool City Council are currently undertaking a series of technical and commercial studies to explore the viability of a stadium development at the Scotland Road.

The possibility of the Loop site being used for a stadium was first discussed around two months ago, and significant progress has already been made to reach this stage.

HOK are to be joined by WSP Group – a leading global and award-winning engineering consultancy with a specialist stadium team.

"The size and stature of these two companies shows how serious we are about the project and I know that the City Council shares our determination," said Malcolm Carter.

Bestway said the early images were not produced by HOK but were intended to demonstrate how a stadium would look.

"We also remain committed to our existing business, and are continuing to make progress in securing a suitable location for this as part of any deal," added Mr Carter.

"When the ballot’s over we want to be in a position to sit down with the club and demonstrate that our site is a viable option."