Fratton Park: Pompey's home since 1898
Portsmouth have revealed plans for a
36,000-capacity waterfront stadium which chief executive Peter
Storrie has described as "perfection".
The new ground would see FA Cup winners move from Fratton
Park, their home since 1898, to a site at the "gateway" of the
Hampshire city.
The creation of a new stadium is deemed essential for the club,
which needs a larger capacity than its current 20,200.
The development would also include an indoor exhibition
centre/arena with a 10,000 capacity.
The scheme is being designed by Swiss-based architects Herzog
& de Meuron, who are responsible for the Beijing National
Stadium, the centrepiece of this year's Olympics, and the Allianz
Arena stadium in Munich.
The proposals also include a new diving training facility for
the Royal Navy and a residential, retail and leisure complex.
Pompey and Sellar Property Group, which is handling the
development, also announced proposals for the redevelopment of the
17-acre Fratton Park site for a mix of low-rise residential and
retail uses.
Storrie said: "We only have one word to describe this stadium -
perfection.
"The club will be playing a big part in the regeneration of the
city and our fans will have the very best in terms of facilities
and amenities as well as an excellent viewing experience.
"Portsmouth Football Club has moved into a new era with the
backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting
times for the club, both on and off the field.
"The new stadium, along with plans for the club's new training
ground at the Alver Valley in Gosport, are proof of where we want
Pompey to be, playing at the highest level and in a stadium
befitting a top Premier League side."
The new stadium will be on a former landfill site next to the
M275 and M27 motorway junction, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour.
The construction is expected to generate several thousand jobs,
with hundreds more permanent jobs after it is completed.
Subject to the necessary planning consents, work would get under
way next year.