Stadium News
Former Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in. Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”
Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. The outward looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.”
Lord Sebastian Coe, chair of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, said: “Today marks an important step forward in what I firmly believe can be the biggest and most exciting urban regeneration project in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics. I am proud to have helped lay the groundwork as chair of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force over the past year and would like to thank my fellow members for their contributions.
“Our exploratory work is now complete, and we will hand over responsibility to Manchester United for delivery of the stadium, and the Mayoral Development Corporation to drive forward the wider regeneration.”
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester,
FSM said: “Our
common goal on the Task Force has been to try to unlock the full power of the club for the benefit of its supporters and for Greater Manchester as a whole – creating thousands of new homes and jobs. If we get this right, the regeneration impact could be bigger and better than London 2012. Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.
“To me, that means a stadium that is true to the traditions of the club, affordable to all, with nobody priced out, and a stadium that sets new standards in the game globally. I believe this vision can be realised, and if so, the benefits for Greater Manchester, the north west and the country will be huge.”
Initial fan views are very mixed however. Despite the agreement that a new stadium is probably now essential due to the lack of any real investment for so many years in the infrastructure at Old Trafford and the Carrington training ground from the owners, the overall view is that this is solely business-based yet again. Fan consultations have taken place, but the belief is that in the main their views have been ignored as lip service.
Initial reaction to the imagery of the new stadium was even more scathing with many liking it to a circus tent. However, what was unanimous is that a new stadium will bring vital new revenue opportunities to the club. How this money may be spent if a different matter, by a club that has made so many poor decisions over the past decade and a half since the Glazer family became the custodians of the club through a leveraged buyout.
Visuals courtesy of Foster + Partners.
https://www.fosterandpartners.com
FSM
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