Contractor on the Everton stadium project on Liverpool waterfront, Laing O’Rourke, completes main structure. Tony McDonough
Everton stadium main contractor Laing O’Rourke has now completed the main structure of the arena.
On Wednesday, Everton and the construction firm held a ‘topping out’ ceremony to celebrate the project milestone. This has been achieved 20 months after starting work on the site at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters.
Laing O’Rourke began work on the 52,888-capacity stadium in summer 2021. Everton hopes to leave its current home at Goodison Park and move into the new ground during the 2024-25 football season. It was originally hoped it would be ready at the start of that season.
All four stands have since been built to full height. Final sections of steelwork and terracing have been installed on top of the east stand where the ‘topping out’ ceremony and speeches took place.
Chief stadium development officer Colin Chong poured the concrete mix into the final slab at the ceremony.
He said: “It’s a real milestone. Topping out ceremonies are very common in the building industry, but to do it in such circumstances, where the relationship with the contractor is absolutely fantastic, makes this a great occasion.
“Laing O’Rourke have taken on their responsibilities wholeheartedly and it’s a pleasure to be a part of this ceremony.
“The project has had to overcome many hurdles, but what can’t ever be questioned is its importance to the future of Everton Football Club and, more dramatically, its importance to the economy and the people of the Liverpool city region.”
During the ceremony, and following tradition within the construction industry, a fir tree was hoisted atop the east stand in a symbolic gesture that has several origins. These include a Native American belief that no building should be taller than a tree.
Laing O’Rourke project director Gareth Jacques, added: “The ceremony is traditional in the construction industry when a structure reaches its highest point.
“When we finish the last piece of section of steel or in this case concrete slab, we pass a fir tree over the structure. This is an ancient tradition and is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the occupants for many years to come.
READ MORE: Everton stadium could have ‘floating car park’
READ MORE: Everton announces bid to host EURO 2028 matches
“I love the ceremony because it is focused on the workforce and what the construction team has achieved.
“With the support of our designers, supply chain partners and office colleagues, what everyone can see today is what has been achieved in 90 weeks. That is phenomenal.”
Work continues at the stadium to complete the roofing structure on the west and east stands. The initial fit-out has begun simultaneously on numerous levels of the two main stands.