Everton Football Club has held a commencement ceremony at Bramley-Moore Dock to mark the beginning of construction works on the new £500m stadium
The Everton Club took possession of the site on 26 July, with construction partners Laing O’Rourke immediately working on putting in place welfare facilities for the near 12,000 construction staff that will be required during the estimated three-year build.
The new stadium project is recognised as the largest single-site private sector development in the country contributing an estimated £1.3bn to the UK economy, creating more than 15,000 jobs and attracting 1.4m visitors to the city of Liverpool.
Once complete, the scheme will have acted as a catalyst for more than £650m worth of accelerated regeneration directly benefiting Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters and the nearby Ten Streets development.
“A momentous day. One that we have all been waiting for.”
Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright, said: “To know that Evertonians and the people of this great city are together with us on this journey is a special feeling.
“Now that the work has commenced we can all watch our magnificent home as it comes to life. I am stating the obvious but must reiterate that this day could not have happened without Farhad’s continued support on every level and the drive and determination of our CEO Denise, and her team.
“In a few years’ time we will, of course, be bidding the fondest farewell imaginable to our cherished home at Goodison Park.
“That sad day will be made easier because we know we are going to an astonishing new stadium that will bring our fans and their children and their children’s children, the kind of joy throughout the next century that we have all shared in Liverpool 4.”
Everton chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, added: “Breaking ground is a significant milestone for this project, for our football club and our city region. It is a tangible symbol of Everton’s future and a clear signal of our Club’s ambitions.
“I’m delighted we have been able to share today with the internal and external team of planning, construction and engineering partners who have worked tirelessly to make this project happen. I know for them it signifies a real starting point in the development phase of this transformational scheme.”
