STADIUM DEBATE | MEDIA ARTICLE

New stadium to cost £250m

EVERTON'S proposed move to a new stadium in Kirkby would be part of a development costing £250m, a confidential report leaked to the Daily Post reveals.

The document, prepared by Knowsley chief executive Sheena Ramsey, also shows the council is considering handing over £50m-worth of land in return for a share in the management company operating the stadium or the income it generates.

Last night, Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley upped the stakes by revealing his council is also offering the club two prime pieces of land in the city on which to build a new ground.

He will hold talks with Everton chief executive Keith Wyness and chairman Bill Kenwright over the next week to thrash out proposals for a new city stadium.

The Daily Post exclusively revealed last month that neighbouring Knowsley council was making a sustained attempt to lure the club to the borough.

Yesterday, it emerged that supermarket giants Tesco, headed by Evertonian Terry Leahy, have entered the negotiations. Along with the local authority, they are in talks with the club about building a 55,000-seater ground as the centre piece of a massive development that would double the size of Kirkby town centre.

In a confidential report to the council's cabinet, chief executive Sheena Ramsey said: "The overall cost of the development proposal has been estimated by Tesco as approximately £250m.

"It is expected that the council's main financial contribution to the proposal would be through the investment of the value of the land (circa £50m) into the scheme.

"The potential options might include the council taking a share in any management company operating the stadium or a share of income generated by the stadium operation.

"The council may also incur significant costs through processes such as the compulsory purchase, traffic and environmental impact assessments as outlined in the sections above.

"It should be noted that the risks to the council are significant, particularly if the final location of the development impacts upon other major programmes.

"However, it is suggested that the benefits of the proposal at this stage outweigh the risks associated with the scheme and that the opportunity to attract a major football stadium with associated retail and leisure opportunities, resulting in the redevelopment of Kirkby town centre should be supported by members."

But Cllr Bradley, himself an Everton season ticket holder, will do all he can to keep the club in the city.

© Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited 2007