Everton’s spectacular new waterfront stadium has been described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” project that will help transform Liverpool’s northern docks and significantly boost job opportunities on Merseyside. 

The Club took possession of the Bramley-Moore Dock site – part of Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme – last week, with contractors Laing O’Rourke now beginning work to prepare the area in readiness for the stadium build.

The development will be one of the largest ongoing in the UK, kickstarting a major regeneration of North Liverpool, attracting investment, and creating up to 15,000 jobs in the city region.

Laing O’Rourke has a track record of delivering state-of-the-art sport stadia, as well as major constructions across Liverpool, the UK and globally. 

Director Paul McNerney explained the firm’s sense of responsibility in playing a key role in such an historic development for Everton and Merseyside.

“As a local employer, as a contractor that’s rooted in the local environment, this is a huge project for us,” he told evertontv.

“I’m full of excitement and the team are raring to go.

“At Laing O’Rourke, we have a huge workforce, but no doubt we’ll have to grow that team. 

“So, there are opportunities for local employment – we’ll connect with Everton in the Community and use that as a vehicle to bring people to the project, and it’s an opportunity for training, for apprenticeships and for the development of a workforce in the area. 

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime project and the people we have in our team are extremely proud to be involved. 

“No doubt, when they look back at their careers, the Everton stadium will be the project that stands out for them.”

Speaking on the day Everton formally broke ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, Club legend and Players’ Life President Graeme Sharp admitted emotions will run high when the Blues leave their cherished Goodison Park home.

Sharp, however, expressed his belief Everton’s new stadium can propel the Club into an exciting and successful era.

“The fans have been waiting for this for a long, long time,” he said.

“Everybody loves Goodison and has great memories from there, but you’ve got to move forward as a football club.

“This is going to be a top-of-the-range football stadium. The plans are fantastic. It’ll be great to come here and see how it is progressing.

“I just can’t wait to see it happen. Imagine European nights here at Bramley-Moore Dock, it would be incredible.”

Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters project is one of the largest regeneration developments in Europe, with its vision to rejuvenate the city’s northern docks and create a vibrant, multi-use waterfront area.

Everton’s world-class new home, then, is an integral element of these plans.

Steven Underwood, Chief Executive Officer at Peel L&P, explained how they have worked collaboratively with the Club to ensure the docks’ heritage is retained and enhanced by the stadium build.

“It’s an enormous landmark for Everton to take control of site and I think it’s going to be a fantastic development,” said Underwood.

“The heritage associated with this site is incredibly important. We’ve been working very closely with the Everton team. 

“We’ve put together a very sympathetic scheme which retains key parts of that heritage. 

“Giving access for people to take in that heritage will also be very important.

“I think a lot of people don’t realise that the area around the site has been closed off to the public.

“As soon as the stadium is here, it will be open to everyone to enjoy the heritage as well as the football.”