Everton new stadium project hits another landmark as work underway on pitch

Another milestone has been hit at Everton’s new stadium project with preparation work for the pitch now underway.

Contractors arrived on site this week to start the latest significant feature of the development, with the first job to remove the recycled stone initially laid to provide a solid surface for the heavy duty equipment used in the construction of the waterfront landmark.

Work to help with the installation of features including undersoil heating will then follow with plans to start planting grass seed around August.

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The starting point for the pitch preparation is the removal of that layer of stone, known as a piling mat. Beyond that, the focus is on the pitchside ducting, which is key for the installation of cabling for match broadcasters, irrigation piping, undersoil heating and drainage. The pitch will then be built in layers.

Ben Williams, package manager for Laing O’Rourke, who is overseeing the pitch development, explained: “At the minute, we are just concentrating on the initial stages of those ducting and utility installations. SEL Environmental will then return around July to install the root layers, all of the drainage and irrigation and build up the layers, and we’re hoping to start planting grass seed around August time.”

Once the seeding is complete in early October, synthetic fibres will be stitched into the roots of the grass. The fibres, which will ultimately cover around 5% of the playing surface, are designed to interlock with the growing grass to strengthen it.