Liverpool reveals Commonwealth Games plans

Liverpool has today unveiled details of its plans to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which the city sees as an accelerant in the transformation of its northern waterfront.

The bid combines existing venues, the highly recognisable Mersey waterfront setting, new planned facilities and a partnership with 2002 host Manchester. The centrepiece of the bid is the proposed new Everton stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, two miles north of the city centre, which would accommodate a temporary athletics track.

The Liverpool plan also includes:

  • Swimming at a new 50-metre pool within the city centre dock system, which would remain in place after the Games
  • Triple jump, long jump and pole vault on the dockside by neighbouring Mann Island
  • T20 Cricket and track cycling as ‘optional sports’ which would take place in Manchester at Old Trafford cricket ground and Manchester Velodrome

ACC Liverpool, comprising the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre, would house badminton, artistic gymnastics, judo, netball and wrestling. Anfield is in line to host the opening ceremony and rugby sevens, St George’s Hall could host squash, Goodison Park the boxing finals, and Stanley Park lawn bowls.

Other venues include the Pier Head for triathlon and the start/finish lines for road cycling, and Liverpool Olympia for weightlifting.

A further key element of Liverpool’s plan is to host the athletes’ village beside Everton FC’s new stadium in Nelson Dock, within Peel Land & Property’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters scheme – residential developments that already have outline planning permission meaning construction could start in the first half of 2018.

Liverpool 2022 Bid chairman Brian Barwick said: “Liverpool is a world class city and what we have unveiled today is truly transformational. We are utilising our existing, world-class venues such as ACC Liverpool, Anfield, St George’s Hall and Goodison Park, as well as facilities linked to the massive regeneration that is already taking place in the Bramley-Moore Dock area that would be home to the athletes village.

“Some of the other eye catching plans, such as the dynamic new pool in the docks and the creative approach to working with Everton FC’s new state of art stadium will set the bar for how major games leave a real and tangible legacy.

Liverpool 2022 Commonweatlh Games BID Venue Map“We are also being transformational in how we present sports such as athletics, by bringing some of the jumping events to spectacular locations in our docks. This plan is both compelling and deliverable and will be amazing for the athletes, the spectators and the Commonwealth – and crucially is designed to leave Liverpool transformed.”

The plans form the basis of the preliminary phase questionnaire submitted to the DCMS as part of the candidate city assessment process. Of the estimated £672m cost of hosting the Games, £547m would come from the public purse. Liverpool City Council said it expects to contribute £137m of this.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

I really hope this happens and wish it the best of luck and having a new pool on my doorstep also!

By on the dock

Priorities:

1. Potholes
2. Potholes
3. Commonwealth Games

By Jack Mack

Liverpool will be an amazing games

By Tim

Fantastic to see this! Also great to see partnerships with Manchester!

By Anon

@JackMack, don’t worry, see the potholes as a training ground for the Hop,Skip & Jump in the CG’s

By causal observer

Could be worse if you live in Manchester they have sinkholes

By Tim

I hope that this comes off for Liverpool.

By Elephant

Liverpool is a world city cosmopolitan and welcoming to all people. Let us do it now and realise true potential

By Anonymous

Liverpool can easily pull this off .

By Ken

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below