Work gathers pace at Saints’ new ground

Barr Construction has started putting up the 4,245-tonne steel frame for St Helens Rugby League Club's new 18,000 stadium and 140,000 sq ft Tesco Extra store.

The Tesco store is due for completion in July 2011 and the stadium will be completed by October 2011.

A 3,000 sq ft community facility managed by Saints Community Development Foundation in partnership with St Helens Council will be housed within the stadium for use by young people undertaking projects focusing on sport, health and education.

The site was previously home to United Glass. The development is being delivered by developer Langtree, St Helens Council, the North West Development Agency and the rugby club.

John Downes, managing director of Langtree, said: "The stadium is rapidly rising out of the ground and you can now really appreciate the true scale of the development.

"Anyone driving past Peasley Cross cannot fail to notice the work taking place. There is real progress and I'm sure that fans and residents will be watching it take shape over the coming months with great interest and anticipation."