Liverpool’s ambitious Commonwealth 2022 plans revealed
Ambitious £672m plans for Liverpool to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, including the continued transformation of its famous waterfront have been unveiled.
Central to Liverpool’s bid to stage the Games is the riverside regeneration of the Bramley-Moore Dock – just two miles north of the city centre – which would be home to Everton Football Club’s new stadium.
The new football stadium will accommodate a temporary athletics track for the Games.
The track will be installed after the final home game of the 2021/22 season and will be removed before the first scheduled kick-off of the 2022/23 season.
As part of the plan, which is predicted to accelerate £1bn of investment up to 10 years ahead of schedule and create more than 12,000 jobs, the city is also proposing to host:
· Swimming at a new 50 metre pool within the city centre dock system, that would remain in place after the Games – providing both a swimming and visitor attraction legacy
· Triple jump, long jump and pole vault on the dockside by neighbouring Mann Island to ensure spectators are brought even closer to the action
· T20 Cricket and Track Cycling as its ‘optional sports’ which would take place in Manchester at Old Trafford Cricket Ground and Manchester Velodrome – marking an exciting partnership with its legendary North West neighbour.
Other key highlights of Liverpool’s hosting plan include the following existing venues:
· Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool – ACC: home to the 11,000-seat Echo Arena, BT Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre Liverpool [Badminton, Artistic Gymnastics, Judo, Netball and Wrestling]
· Anfield Stadium [Opening ceremony, Rugby Sevens]
· St George’s Hall [Squash Finals]
· Goodison Park [Boxing Finals]
· Stanley Park [Lawn Bowls]
A further key element of Liverpool’s plan is to host the Athletes Village beside Everton FC’s new stadium in Nelson Dock, within Peel Land and Property’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme – residential developments that already have outline planning permission meaning construction could start in the first half of 2018.
Liverpool 2022 Bid chairman Brian Barwick said: “Liverpool is a world-class city and what we have unveiled today is truly transformational.
“We are utilising our existing, world-class venues such as ACC Liverpool, Anfield, St George’s Hall and Goodison Park, as well as facilities linked to the massive regeneration that is already taking place in the Bramley-Moore Dock area that would be home to the athletes village.
“Some of the other eye catching plans, such as the dynamic new pool in the docks and the creative approach to working with Everton FC’s new state of art stadium will set the bar for how major games leave a real and tangible legacy.
“We are also being transformational in how we present sports such as athletics, by bringing some of the jumping events to spectacular locations in our docks.
“Through a creative partnership with our North West neighbour Manchester we are able to host T20 cricket and track cycling in world class facilities.
“This plan is both compelling and deliverable and will be amazing for the athletes, the spectators and the Commonwealth – and crucially is designed to leave Liverpool transformed.”
The total cost of hosting the Liverpool 2022 Commonwealth Games is anticipated to be in the region of £672m, with £547m expected to come from the public sector. Liverpool City Council will contribute a quarter of this [£137m] from its “invest to earn” strategy and existing resources as well as through various income steams raised from the Games.
Sir Richard Leese, Manchester City Council leader, said: “Manchester is delighted to be supporting Liverpool’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. With the hugely successful Games our city held in 2002, and given the elite sporting venues we currently have in Manchester, we are pleased to be able to assist Liverpool in its quest to deliver an inclusive, innovative and inspiring Games for the Commonwealth.”
