New Everton Stadium

[Noggsy blue]

Visited the stadium today on a shareholder's tour. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos. Entered the stadium in the South east corner, went up the stairway to the upper concourse which serves South, East and I believe North upper tiers, with access all the way around. It appeared quite roomy with spaces laid out for central Island concessions. We walked along the South stand concourse and could see the view towards the city centre, although the drizzle created a mist obscuring most of it. We were then led up a central vomitory, out onto the upper tier for our first view of the stadium bowl itself. The first over-riding impression was that of scale and steepness. We stood on the first row above the super-riser separating upper and lower (safe-standing) tiers. Without an actual goal to gauge distance, it felt as if we were roughly the same height as say the back row of the upper Gwladys Street stand...... but in this case there was another 33 rows rising above us. I especially liked the wrap around effect and simplicity of the straight cranked corners. It's a much simpler layout than the complex Spurs and Arsenal Bowls tbf. But that might create greater unity. The roof did feel very high but gives a slight overall domed effect which has its own acoustic properties and which hopefully in combination with the wrap around corners will help generate a great atmosphere. The North stand for me looks like a little bit of a non-event, although some people seem to like the variation of height at that end. It looks completely disconnected from its roof.... a little bit like going out with an umbrella and holding it at full arm's-length above your head. I noticed that a lot of the front half of the Lower West stand's terraces looked very wet. I can only assume that the transparent roof panels have not been fitted yet.... otherwise this area is not very well protected. I had hoped that we would be getting a view from a side stand.... so that I could have sneaked a photo of the South Stand before getting kicked out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, as we were then led away to an external viewing platform before leaving site.

Great feedback Tom, well jealous

 

[Noggsy blue]

Pretty close up views of the stadium in this one.

My contribution for Toffee TV, will be doing more for them so keep your eyes peeled

 

[Marc bolan]

If they wanted to increase the capacity after a few years would it be possible?

Maybe safe standing ??

 

[Ferguson1878]

Maybe safe standing ??

Only if they change the ratio wich I can’t see them doing

 

[PhilM]

Only if they change the ratio wich I can’t see them doing

The design has integrated the capability to implement safe standing with an increased ratio, so it is possible. But if it’s the government allow it.

 

[jerseytoffee]

Visited the stadium today on a shareholder's tour. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos. Entered the stadium in the South east corner, went up the stairway to the upper concourse which serves South, East and I believe North upper tiers, with access all the way around. It appeared quite roomy with spaces laid out for central Island concessions. We walked along the South stand concourse and could see the view towards the city centre, although the drizzle created a mist obscuring most of it. We were then led up a central vomitory, out onto the upper tier for our first view of the stadium bowl itself. The first over-riding impression was that of scale and steepness. We stood on the first row above the super-riser separating upper and lower (safe-standing) tiers. Without an actual goal to gauge distance, it felt as if we were roughly the same height as say the back row of the upper Gwladys Street stand...... but in this case there was another 33 rows rising above us. I especially liked the wrap around effect and simplicity of the straight cranked corners. It's a much simpler layout than the complex Spurs and Arsenal Bowls tbf. But that might create greater unity. The roof did feel very high but gives a slight overall domed effect which has its own acoustic properties and which hopefully in combination with the wrap around corners will help generate a great atmosphere. The North stand for me looks like a little bit of a non-event, although some people seem to like the variation of height at that end. It looks completely disconnected from its roof.... a little bit like going out with an umbrella and holding it at full arm's-length above your head. I noticed that a lot of the front half of the Lower West stand's terraces looked very wet. I can only assume that the transparent roof panels have not been fitted yet.... otherwise this area is not very well protected. I had hoped that we would be getting a view from a side stand.... so that I could have sneaked a photo of the South Stand before getting kicked out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, as we were then led away to an external viewing platform before leaving site.

No the transparent roof hasn’t been fitted there yet and I heard on a recent video they had been power washing the terraces to remove weathering so could have been that.

The north stand is the only roof finished and looks well covered and dry in the videos I’ve seen

 

[Tom Hughes]

Great stuff Tom.

I know that many of your concerns are based on factors beyong stadium design, but has the visit gone any way to allay any concerns you had?

As you say, most of my concerns are regards the whole financial mess and some of the obvious missing pieces in the transport plan. Hopefully both resolvable, but needless to say, the finances are taking us (club and fans) right to the edge, which has always been my main fear!

There was no massive surprises. Like the rest of you, I have followed all the brilliant video updates from Baz and the rest of the drone lads. Plus of course the club's internal pics/videos too. Tbh, I would've been able to picture it fairly well in my head just from the plan drawings and cross sections, but of course there is nothing quite like actually standing in the place.

I've taken lots of pictures of stadia in the past but have rarely if ever been able to capture the true depth or drama of the view I was trying to record. Similarly, on this occasion the reality was far more dramatic than what you can lift from any photo. I watched as everyone in the group stepped out onto the stand.... it was a bit like when you take your kids to their first game at Goodison, with that pure sense of wonder written all over their faces as they stepbout onto the stand for the first time. Everyone in the group were like those kids again. One old fella looked a bit emotional. It may have been a bit of construction site dust.

It is obviously modern clean lines and sightlines everywhere, as you would expect. Personally, I would've preferred a bit more design variation on the side stands to add a bit more contrast and interest. Say for instance a triple-decker on one side and/or just 5 to 7 more rows overlap on the North, East and West stands.... which could've generated another 3,000+ seats for the same footprint and been a bit more reflective of Goodison..... but that might be subjective. Equally, some might well prefer the simplicity of the bowl.... If proportions are right, sometimes, less is indeed more etc!

The high roof does make the stadium feel very airey inside and I would've preferred to see it extended further than just barely covering the front rows, for both greater weather protection and acoustic enhancement.

I was tempted to give a shout of "What's our Name?" To test those acoustics in the South stand and claim the honour of starting the first ever chant in our new stadium.... but there was only 8 in our group and noticed the roof covering above was not yet fully in place to be tested anyway.

Also noticed that there was no second steps yet fitted to the safe-standing area row treads. Of course they could be retrofitted if the ratio is ever increased in the future. The super-riser also looks to be quite a bit higher than the one at Spurs' south stand, but that might be an optical illusion.

 

[Tom Hughes]

Great feedback Tom, well jealous

You should've been there automatically Baz. I'm only sorry that I never made that point earlier. Hopefully you'll get to see it in a more completed state at the end of the summer.

 

[charlie atkins]

Only if they change the ratio wich I can’t see them doing

i thought they said another 10,000 could be added

 

[Ferguson1878]

i thought they said another 10,000 could be added

if the goverment ever change their rules on the ratio for safe standing from what it is now

 

[The binman chronicles]

 

[muckers]

Visited the stadium today on a shareholder's tour. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos. Entered the stadium in the South east corner, went up the stairway to the upper concourse which serves South, East and I believe North upper tiers, with access all the way around. It appeared quite roomy with spaces laid out for central Island concessions. We walked along the South stand concourse and could see the view towards the city centre, although the drizzle created a mist obscuring most of it. We were then led up a central vomitory, out onto the upper tier for our first view of the stadium bowl itself. The first over-riding impression was that of scale and steepness. We stood on the first row above the super-riser separating upper and lower (safe-standing) tiers. Without an actual goal to gauge distance, it felt as if we were roughly the same height as say the back row of the upper Gwladys Street stand...... but in this case there was another 33 rows rising above us. I especially liked the wrap around effect and simplicity of the straight cranked corners. It's a much simpler layout than the complex Spurs and Arsenal Bowls tbf. But that might create greater unity. The roof did feel very high but gives a slight overall domed effect which has its own acoustic properties and which hopefully in combination with the wrap around corners will help generate a great atmosphere. The North stand for me looks like a little bit of a non-event, although some people seem to like the variation of height at that end. It looks completely disconnected from its roof.... a little bit like going out with an umbrella and holding it at full arm's-length above your head. I noticed that a lot of the front half of the Lower West stand's terraces looked very wet. I can only assume that the transparent roof panels have not been fitted yet.... otherwise this area is not very well protected. I had hoped that we would be getting a view from a side stand.... so that I could have sneaked a photo of the South Stand before getting kicked out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, as we were then led away to an external viewing platform before leaving site.

I agree with the majority of that, Tom. Especially with the photos and videos not really doing it justice.

The sheer steepness is what gets me.

I disagree with the stadium feeling airy, but I suppose that’s subjective.

I’ve tried to post a photo of the South Stand from the West Stand hospitality area but it keeps saying the file is too large, if anyone can help?

 

[Tom Hughes]

i thought they said another 10,000 could be added

I think the spacial allowance would only ever yield approx 1.5:1. So that would be approx 3k uplift at the Lower South stand and about 500 in the visitors section, making a total of approx 56k (with 47k seats and 9500 standing). If the whole lower north tier was made safestanding then that could increase it at that end by approx 3k. So the total would then be approx 59k (with 41k seats and 19k standing)..... all providing the concourses could cope of course.

 

[muckers]

80000 stadium their saying they should be building now biggest divys going them geordies

They were giving away free season tickets a few years ago.

 

[muckers]

I think the spacial allowance would only ever yield approx 1.5:1. So that would be approx 3k uplift at the Lower South stand and about 500 in the visitors section, making a total of approx 56k (with 47k seats and 9500 standing). If the whole lower north tier was made safestanding then that could increase it at that end by approx 3k. So the total would then be approx 59k (with 41k seats and 19k standing)..... all providing the concourses could cope of course.

all the tread depths are 750mm so I presume they can all be converted to safe standing at the 1:1.5 ratio?