Marine AFC seek funding for stadium development

Thu 24th Feb 2011 | Football Stadiums & Facilities

Evo-Stik Premier League side Marine have announced the launching of an appeal to raise £100,000 to fund most of the cost of a further development of the Arriva Stadium in the summer of 2012.

A planning application is to be submitted this week to Sefton Council for approval to build additional spectator facilities at the Crosender Road end of the ground and to install a new four corner floodlight system. The new facilities include a 130 seat covered stand, a new snack kiosk and a fence extension to the perimeter walls.

The existing floodlights are over 30 years old and are not sustainable having had two electrical fires and one failure in the last 12 months.

This is the fourth ground development to take place at the Arriva Stadium since 1996, and the completion of the building work and replacement of the floodlights will enable Marine to maintain its current status in the non-league pyramid and also to one level above, in the Conference North, should promotion be secured.

Marine will apply for grant funding from the Football Foundation to provide the balance of the total cost of the scheme which is thought to be about £130,000 and tenders are being invited from potential suppliers shortly.

The scheme to be submitted now includes some amendments that address the concerns of a few local residents following the completion of a successful consultation exercise undertaken by Marine recently.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said; “Every time we switch on the floodlights we have our fingers crossed that they don’t fail. The lights are old and unreliable and at our level of football we need a system that provides today’s design and technology, is environment friendly and energy efficient.

“The provision of extra covered seating and a snack kiosk will help provide a better balance in the distribution of spectator facilities at both ends of the grounds and this will be a real benefit in the need of segregation.”

Leary added; “£100,000 is a lot of money to find but I appeal to the public and the many friends and supporters of Marine to support Liverpool’s premier non-league football club.

As a football club we work very hard in the community with our many partners in local schools, charities, companies and the media and I look to as many people and organisations as possible to help us achieve this vital development of our stadium.”

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