Source: Telegraph
Everton reconsider stadium options
Since plans for a £400 million project, in conjunction with Tesco, at Kirkby were rejected the club have been assessing their options. [LNB]And although the global financial climate appears to be easing slightly, Elstone admits they may have to look closer to home if building a new ground is deemed unaffordable. [LNB]Everton lose out on £10 million earmarked for new stadiumEverton must move from Goodison Park to compete at top end of footballEverton matchwinner Louis Saha heading for semi-final reunion with Manchester UnitedEverton complete £15m Marouane Fellaini signing"We've met with developers and land owners and we've also commissioned a fresh look at Goodison Park with a highly-recommended architect who had no involvement in Kirkby or our previous reviews of Goodison," he said. [LNB]"He's currently looking at previous plans alongside developing his own ideas. [LNB]"Of course, the well-reported challenges remain: roads, shops, houses, a school, a church, a pub, a garage most of which will need to be addressed in one way or another for us to go forward in a way that makes commercial sense. [LNB]"In short, the challenges of working with a stadium footprint housing 50 per cent more fans than The Reebok, in pretty much the same space remain." [LNB]Sites in Scotland Road, Speke and Aintree have all been mooted as potential new venues but without the corporate backing of a company like Tesco none are currently seen as viable. [LNB]But Everton will continue discussions with the local authorities as they pursue every avenue. [LNB]"There are many examples of council-led or partnered stadium developments in football over the course of the past decade," added Elstone. [LNB]"We hope, between us, we can create a scheme which, in the first instances passes our basic test of 'affordability' and, ultimately, becomes a reality. [LNB]"Several sites have been identified. All are familiar to us and all had been assessed previously but this doesn't mean we'll come to the same conclusions as circumstances change. [LNB]"The economy, in all respects, changes from day to day and we have to refresh our conclusions and look for new opportunities. [LNB]"I hope we are able to report progress in the near future." [LNB]
