English Premier League soccer team Liverpool FC has announced the completion of a number of stadium improvement projects ahead of the new season. More than 70 construction projects have been undertaken in and around Anfield, according to a club statement, and efforts to improve stadium accessibility announced by the club in January are nearing completion.
More than 250 wheelchair positions will be available for disabled supporters, with improved viewing positions for visiting disabled supporters. The stadium has increased the number of wheelchair bays from 195, and added more than 150 extra amenity and easy-access seats around Anfield.
Improvements have also been made to benefit disabled away supporters, who for the first time will be seated in the away section. Structural improvements also include the creation of new lift shafts, removing structural walls, recasting ramps to more accessible gradients, and converting lounge space into raised disabled seating areas.
Improvements to Anfield’s pitch include a new automatic irrigation system installed to help improve drainage from the pitch, and also a new undersoil heating system which will help aid growth and also prevent the ground from freezing during the winter months.
Anfield also benefits from a new stadium store, which forms part of Liverpool City Council’s plan to rebuild Walton Breck Road. With 19,500ft² of total space, the new store will be more than twice the size of the current Anfield store and will offer fans a premium shopping experience with exclusive product ranges, plus a specially-designed first-floor café.
Improvements to stadium fan zones include the relocation of the Anfield Road Family Park, providing a much larger space for F&B and retail concessions, as well as for matchday activities for younger fans.
New, ‘mini fan zones’ on the corner of Walton Breck Road and Skerries Road, and the corner of Walton Breck Road and Venmore Street, will provide new food and beverage offerings and a place for supporters to meet before the game.
“It has been a hugely successful summer in terms of delivering, and also the complexity of, these projects,” said Liverpool FC operations director Andrew Parkinson of the work carried out. “These projects further demonstrate the commitment from our ownership to invest in Anfield.
“The stadium accessibility improvements have been a big part of the upgrade works and we are pleased that we will now comply with the Accessible Stadia Guide for the number of wheelchair spaces and amenity seating around the stadium.
“As a football club we are always striving to improve fans’ experience at Anfield on a matchday, and by making improvements to the fan zones around the stadium we hope that fans will be able to further enjoy the unique atmosphere when they visit the stadium.
“As we continue to develop Anfield, our matchday team continues to grow and we now have over 2,200 people working on matchdays, with 85% of them from the Merseyside area.”
August 9, 2017
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