Supporters have rallied around Everton’s plans for its proposed new stadium, with the English Premier League football club stating that a survey of fans has resulted in strong backing for the ’11 Key Principles’ of the project.
Everton plans on building a state-of-the-art new stadium on the site of Bramley Moore Dock in Liverpool. The club agreed a deal to lease land on the site back in November and has since been engaging with various stakeholders on the project.
In a recent survey, Everton said 97 per cent of fans agreed that the Principles presented by the club represented a ‘clear vision for the new stadium’.
Almost 10,000 fans have taken part in the first series of surveys related to the stadium project, generating half a million responses. The findings from those surveys will aid an engagement programme planned by the club over the next six months.
The most recent survey gave supporters the opportunity to rank the Principles and share their preferences on features they would like to retain from Goodison Park (pictured) – Everton’s home since 1892 – as well as provide feedback in areas relating to stadium design and capacity.
Everton said fans ranked making the new stadium ‘A Fortress’ – a stadium that maximises atmosphere and creates a home advantage – as the most important of all the 11 Principles.
Including the statue of club legend Dixie Dean for the move to the waterfront site was ranked as an important factor by 85 per cent of fans, who stated that by doing this – and introducing a club museum (86 per cent) – the new stadium would immediately be adopted as the club’s ‘New Home’ – the Principle which ranked second by fans.
Travel considerations saw supporters rank ‘Being Easy to Get To And Get Home From’ as the third most important Principle.
In terms of stadium design, Everton said more than 60 per cent of fans preferred a square shaped design compared to a curved or bowl design, with more than 80 per cent of fans stating a preference for the corners to be filled in. In addition, 99 per cent of respondents wanted the new stadium’s capacity to be at least 50,000.
More in-depth analysis of the Key Principles survey will be presented to fans at a series of forums that will be held with stadium architect, Dan Meis, during the week commencing April 2. The new stadium is expected to be open in time for the 2022-23 season.
Image: Wikipedia
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