Stanley Park Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Stanley Park/'The New Anfield'
nickname =


caption = New stadium on Stanley Park
fullname =
location = Liverpool, England
built = Approval given
opened = Scheduled to open in 2012 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7081610.stm BBC NEWS: Liverpool's stadium move granted] ]
renovated =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Liverpool F.C.
operator = Liverpool F.C.
surface = Grass
construction_cost = £350 million [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7587609.stm Liverpool stadium faces new delay] ]
architect = HKS, Inc. [ [http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3104775&c=3 Liverpool FC reveals new HKS stadium design] ]
structural engineer = Ramboll Whitbybird
general_contractor = Laing O'Rourke
project_manager = KUD International
former_names =
tenants = Liverpool FC (from 2012)
seating_capacity = 70,000+
dimensions =

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 with a capacity of 60,000, however construction has been halted until economic conditions improve.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7653369.stm|title=Liverpool stadium plan put on hold|accessdate=2008-10-05|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2008-10-05]

History

The stadium, was initially scheduled to open in August 2011, with the capacity of approximately 60,000 seats, with the option to expand to 71,000. [ [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/newstadium/ Liverpool FC offical web page on stadium plans] ]

It 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' famous 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, were England to 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, [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/05/28/ufnshare128.xml Liverpool-Everton groundshare back on agenda] ] although this has been strenuously denied by Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks. [ [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/06/06/tom-hicks-slams-talk-of-stadium-share-100252-21033999 Tom Hicks slams talk of stadium share] ]

The stadium was given final planning permission on June 19 2008 and construction began on June 24 2008. [ [http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3731940,00.html.com Work starts on Reds ground] ]

In a further development, it was reported on 28 August 2008 that work on the stadium would be "delayed in the short-term", but that any delay would be used to replan the stadium to increase capacity to 73,000. [ [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N161087080829-0923.htm Reds confirm new LFC stadium delay] ] The Daily 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. 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." [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/2647988/Liverpool-fans-angry-at-new-stadium-delay---Football.html Liverpool fans angry at new stadium delay] ]

Although originally due to begun full construction in 2008, Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry announced on 5 October that although the stadium would still be built, work would be delayed until economic conditions improve. Preliminary work on the ground 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.

References

External links

* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/newstadium/ Club's official website page on the proposed stadium]
* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158580080125-1030.htm Images and Description]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5327426.stm BBC report stadium approval in September 2006]