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 FC’s new stadium. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s has unveiled details of its spectacular bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
If the bid is successful it could speed up the regeneration of the waterfront accelerating plans for £1bn of investment and creating more than 12,000 jobs.
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 FC’s new stadium.
The plan is for the arena to accommodate a temporary athletics track for the games.
It would 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.
Plans also include:
- 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 partnership with its 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.
The city also today launched its official bid website: www.liverpoolCG22.org with a call to action for the public to back the bid viasocial media with the hashtag #IAmLiverpool2022
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.
“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. “