Europa Point Stadium
| Location | Gibraltar |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°06′39″N 5°20′49″W / 36.110741°N 5.346814°WCoordinates: 36°06′39″N 5°20′49″W / 36.110741°N 5.346814°W |
| Capacity | 8,066 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | Proposed 2016 |
| Architect | RFA Fenwick Iribarren Architects[1] |
| Tenants | |
| Gibraltar national football team | |
| Website | |
| Official Website | |
Europa Point Stadium was a proposed UEFA Category 4 multi-function stadium to be built in Gibraltar.[2]
History
The stadium was initially expected to be ready in 2016.[3] It was to be built at Europa Point, Gibraltar's southernmost tip, and was to serve as Gibraltar's national stadium.
It was expected to replace the Victoria Stadium as the national stadium following the Gibraltar Football Association's admittance as a full member of UEFA in May 2013.[4]
On 24 May 2013, Allen Bula the national team coach said: "We expect work to begin soon, it will be 10,000 all seater which is well above the UEFA minimum criteria which is 8,000."
"We will also have provision to expand that, but it will be a top-class venue which will also aid any of our teams who may be competing at UEFA level."[5]
In April 2017, the GFA announced that it had agreed to purchase the Victoria Stadium from the government for redevelopment, essentially ending plans to build on the Europa Point site. However, the Gibraltar government announced that it would build a new sporting complex on the sites of Europa Point and Lathbury Barracks using funds from the sale of Victoria Stadium.
Criticism
There is however some opposition locally to the intended siting of the Stadium in Europa Point, a petition is being circulated to oppose the location of the venture. The nine-point petition states that if the stadium is built at Europa Point, one of the only open flat spaces still left in Gibraltar will be ruined, as will the panoramic views of the Strait, Morocco and Spain. It says the stadium would change the iconic profile of the Rock and lead to significant traffic problems on match days.[6]
References
- ↑ "10k seater, UEFA 'Category Four' stadium expected for 2016". GBC News. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
- ↑ "Our new national stadium". team54.gi. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "'NO POLITICS, JUST FOOTBALL' – BEISO". Gibraltar Chronicle. 3 October 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ Doyle, Paul (23 May 2013). "Gibraltar set to be new kids on the Rock as Uefa votes on its future". London: Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2013. and FIFA in 2016
- ↑ Bailey, Graeme (24 May 2013). "Dream Come True". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ↑ "Group formed to Fight Europa Point National Stadium plans". GBC.