Construction gets underway at Saints new stadium

Saints Rugby League Club's dream of moving into a new purpose-built stadium will now become reality following the letting of the construction contract.

Development partner Langtree, St Helens Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Saints themselves have spent the last 3 years putting in place the complex legal and financial foundations which will see Saints leave their historic Knowsley Road GPW Recruitment Stadium.

Langtree will now let the contract to the successful building contractor, Barr Construction, which was selected following an open tender process which started in June 2009.

Within the 18,000 capacity stadium a major 3,000 sq ft community facility, managed by St Helens Council's Youth Services, will be housed which will be used by young people for recreational activities. The specific uses of the new facility will be outlined in the council's forthcoming Youth Strategy report.

The stadium will also be home to a range of top class corporate hospitality facilities, meeting rooms and conference space for up to 1,600 delegates for match day hospitality which will provide new revenue-generating streams for the club.

The stadium is the centrepiece of the regeneration of the entire site which was previously home to United Glass and will ultimately deliver 1,400 new employment opportunities. The project also includes a 140,000 sq ft Tesco Extra store which will form part of the stadium construction contract, new public realm and new pedestrian links into St Helens town centre.

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."

St Helens Council leader Marie Rimmer said: "The rugby club first came to the Council in 1998 to ask us to work with them to deliver a state of the art stadium. Since then we have been working closely with the club and Langtree to bring this dream to fruition. This announcement is tremendous news. Finally we will be able to see the stadium take shape offering fitting facilities for our world class club. It is a proud moment for the club and the Council and a historic landmark in the history of the borough."

Eamonn McManus, Saints chairman said: "This is an incredibly proud day for me as chairman of this great club. Our supporters will now see their club's new home rise out of this site. This stadium is fitting for a club of the tradition of Saints but it also signals a new era for us and demonstrates that we are a forward looking club with our eyes fixed on the next generation of great Saints supporters and players.

"I would urge the fans and the town to get fully behind the club and its team in the season ahead as it is the most important year in our history and will lay the foundation for our future."

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at The NWDA said: "The NWDA has been involved with this project for a number of years, injecting funding into land remediation works in 2008. This initial investment was part of a process that has enabled work to start on site today. The development will not only provide an excellent sporting venue, it will deliver real benefits such as amenities and services for the local community, while boosting jobs and increasing economic wealth."

In the coming months Saints will hold a series of fans' forums and presentations to its sponsors and fans on the new stadium. Construction will now begin on the site with the stadium expected to be operational for Saints use at the end of the next Super League season.