Marine receive green light for stadium upgrade

Marine have received planning approval from Sefton Council to carry out their stadium improvements which are scheduled to take place in the summer of 2019.
The Evo-Stik Premier club announced in December that upgrades to the Marine Travel Arena would commence at the end of the season but a month later, the start date was put back a year due to the timing of the grant funding application and so the club can raise their portion of the cost.
The building work behind the main stand will take place in the same year as the club’s 125th anniversary and consists of a match day snack bar, stewards control room, spectator first aid treatment room, club shop, match day office, kit store and a new spectator hospitality room.
Tony Diaz Associates submitted the planning application at the beginning of December on behalf of the club and the official notice of approval was issued by Sefton Council planning officers this week.
Marine Chairman Paul Leary said: “We are delighted to receive formal planning approval from Sefton Council for this very important project to improve our stadium and would like to thank Tony Diaz Associates for acting on our behalf with Council officials.
“Club officials worked very hard in communicating our stadium plans with local residents and shopkeepers in the last few months including the issue of a news release, a letter drop to 375 homes and holding an open meeting in the Clubrooms.
“Council officials have told us that there were no objections to the scheme and we are all absolutely really pleased to hear of this. Our next steps are to invite tenders for the work to local building contractors and to continue to raise funds towards our share of the project cost that will not be covered by a grant.
“I intend to submit our application for grant support from the Football Foundation in July. As announced last month, the building work now coincides with our 125th anniversary and this adds further interest in the project and gives us more time to raise the £20-£25k balance of funds needed.
“So far we have raised £18k towards our portion of the scheme cost of about £40k. I appeal therefore to the many friends and supporters of Marine to help us with this important project that will transform the front of our stadium.
“As a football club we work really hard with our community partners and I appeal to as many people as possible to help us make this scheme happen. If anyone would like to make a donation to the appeal then cheques should be made payable to “Marine FC Ground Appeal” and should be sent to Secretary Richard Cross at 74 Elvington Road, Hightown, Liverpool L38 9AN.
“Alternatively, donations can be made securely on line by accessing www.groundappeal.co.uk and clicking on donate.”