Barr Construction to build new St Helens stadium

WORK is expected to start soon on a new £44m rugby league stadium in St Helens after the building contract was awarded to Barr Construction.

The 18,000 capacity stadium close to the town centre will be Saints Rugby League Club’s new home.

The development, on the former United Glass site, will also feature a 140,000 sq ft Tesco supermarket and a 3,000 sq ft community centre.

The Super League club, developer Langtree, St Helens Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have spent the past three years working on the scheme which should be finished by the end of next year.

Langtree managing director John Downes said: “The letting of the contract is the final part of the process and people will now see construction activity begin on site. With the stadium at its centre this development will deliver the wholesale regeneration of this brownfield site. 

“Following our acquisition of the site over 10 years ago and close liaison between all partners through a detailed planning and tender process, it is very satisfying to see the project finally become a reality.”

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has acquired the club’s existing ground in Knowsley Road.