St Helens RFC have been given the keys to their brand new state-of-the-art 18,000 capacity stadium on Peasley Cross Lane. The stadium which has been in construction for the last 14 months will replace the Knowsley Road venue which has been a home to Saints since the club’s beginning.
Saints chairman, Eamonn McManus, said: “We shared our supporters’ love of Knowsley Road and it was such an atmospheric place to watch rugby league...[but]...a new stadium has been almost ten years in the making and I can’t begin to describe how pleased I am that we are finally at this point.”
The stadium which is expected to hold it’s first sports fixture in late January will in the meantime be used for a number of showcase events intended to give supporters, residents, councillors and business leaders a chance to judge the new venue for themselves.
Peasley Cross Lane is said to offer fans improved facilities including outlets for match day refreshments as well as restaurants and better views of the pitch. John Downes managing director of Langtree, the company behind the stadium, said: “it was crucial to deliver a 21st century rugby league stadium fitting for a club with the scale, support and ambition of Saints.”
McManus: “The players and coaching staff are itching to get out there and soak up the unique atmosphere of representing Saints in such a stunning arena.”
However it would seem the team are not the only ones eager to get stuck in, as Saints chairman further stated: “Season ticket sales have been excellent so far and we know our supporters will make this stadium just as special and create a daunting place for opposition teams to visit.”
The Council has reportedly been very supportive of the project and according to those involved it was with this support that the stadium was made possible in the first place.
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. We invested almost £8m to make the site ready for development, paving the way to today’s handover and, of course, the new footbridge linking the town centre to the stadium.”
Everyone involved is sure to be looking forward to seeing the new pitch in action in the coming season.
Bamber Bridge paedophile sentenced to jail
(Thu 17/05)
Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh meet Burnley College students
(Thu 17/05)
Post a comment