FA World Cup bid team tour Bristol
A team of experts from the England 2018 World Cup bid team have been shown around Bristol as part of the city's bid to host part of the 2018 World Cup.
The visits to the proposed Ashton Vale stadium site, hospitality areas and fan sites yesterday were the first stages in deciding Bristol's suitability to play a part in staging the massive sporting event.
The team leading Bristol's bid said they felt confident that the city offered the right mix of credentials to be a successful host city.
Councillor Simon Cook, executive for culture, sport and tourism projects, said: "Representatives from the FA have come down today to talk to us and we have taken them round to various sites in the cities.
"They've seen possible fan park sites, hospitality areas which will have big screens and the site for the new stadium at Ashton Vale, which can be extended to host 42,000 fans.
"We think we've got a fantastic offer here. Obviously, there's a lot of work to do around transport and where the fan parks will go, how big they would be, a lot of work to get the stadium done.
"I think we can be the city that can host teams and games for the South West – they are looking for a geographical spread across England.
"I think it's gone very well, the response was very good. Obviously, they are playing their cards close to their chest. They've got a lot of cities to go to – we're doing our level best."
As well as stadium facilities, all 15 British cities applying to be host cities must offer hospitality areas, fan parks, excellent transport facilities and show they meet environmental sustainability standards.
"We've sold the city not only on its facilities but on its cultural offerings," added Mr Cook. "It's a diverse city and so many people are enthused by this and want the World Cup to come to Bristol. We've also got strong green credentials – we were the only British city to be finalists in the European Green City awards.
The Ashton Vale stadium would be the new home of Bristol City.
The club's chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "This is something for the whole of Bristol. I'm Bristolian and I feel a pride in our city; this is our chance to express that pride and share it will the millions of people that are involved in a World Cup.
"We only get one chance."
According to figures from FIFA, 18.4 million people attended the fan parks to watch the matches on giant screens, consuming a total of 3.5 million litres of beer.
The team said that final figures of costs to host the World Cup were not yet clear, but that unlike the Olympics, there would be minimal public spending and much of the money could be recouped through money spent in the city at the event.
City Council chief executive Jan Ormondroyd said: "Some of the things which are needed for the final bid are not new costs because of the 2018 bid but things that are planned anyway to improve the city."
The team will get feedback on the visit in early August and there will be a second visit in September.
In December the city will find out if it is a candidate city and in December 2010 we will discover if England will be hosting the 2018 event.
A statement from England 2018 Ltd said: "We have been impressed with the quality of the outline submissions from all Applicant Host Cities and these inspection visits will now enable the England 2018 World CupBid team to provide support throughout the process."
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by Horfield resident, Horfield
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 1:43PM
“Well said Richard of Knowle. Many people in Horfield felt(and some had inside knowledge) that there WERE dirty dealings galore over the memorial Stadium, before and during the planning meetings. However without a whistle blower brave enough to stand up and say in public what they say in private, nothing will ever be proved. There is corruption in local government to some extent and those with financial clout, or something to offer, can get their way, especially in planning, where even the law is biased towards allowing development, and residents have NO right of appeal.,”
by Richard Lane, Knowle
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 10:38PM
“Andy welcome back.
Now brown envelopes are being handed around are they ? where do you dream this stuff up from?
You say the stadium is to be funded by Tesco which you know is not true as Mr Lansdown stated "if this deal does not happen then other funding will have to be found".
You say that Tesco is not wanted by locals and imply the stadium is also not wanted.
In reality very few have objected to the stadium (including you as some of the few) and it's the usual anti Tesco lobby and not so much the locals, but as usual you are trying to portray skulduggery and wrong doing by all parties to obtain permission for the stadium.Tesco wasn't in the plans for the area as the site wasn't available for them when the strategy plan was drawn up
The fattest brown envelopes I feel were probably handed out to firstly steal a stadium held in trust for war veterans and then obtain planning permission by removing opposition councilors from the planning committee at the eleventh hour, which was the case at Horfield.
Now kindly go back to your cave. and dream of smash and grab or something else boring.”
by Andy, Bristol
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 6:02PM
“Don't forget, this whole stadium plan is only possible on the back of a Tesco store that is also unwanted by locals and is, similarly to the stadium, contrary to strategic plans for the area.
Only likely if enough brown envelopes are offered around, I would think.”
by Joe, Bristol
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 3:30PM
“MendipMan,what a great pity the powers that be didn't think like you,when they decided to have our airport out in the sticks,instead of where it should have been.”
by Cider Boy!, Bristol
Tuesday, July 14 2009, 2:20PM
“Michael, I'm sure they won't mention the 'mass brawl by City fans'. Like I am sure Newcastle (another potential host city) won't mention the reason why they have had to cancel a pre-season friendly in Holland.
The idea is to give a positive image of our city. Do you get it? If so, you should try it!”