Premier League Side Everton's New Stadium Could Include Running Track

Premier League side Everton will "consider making provision for a running track" in its proposed £350M ($437.3M) new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey in a move which "could help Liverpool host the Commonwealth Games" in '22, according to Paul Joyce of the LONDON TIMES. The city is "bidding to stage the games in five years' time," following the withdrawal of Durban, or in '26. Everton's plans to relocate from Goodison Park to an arena at Bramley-Moore Dock are "at an embryonic stage" as the club seeks to secure funding for the project and draw up designs ahead of a planning application at the end of the year. During dialogue between the club and Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson asked the club to "consider including a running track" in its blueprint, which "would allow the arena to host athletics events." The running track would be replaced by seats when the stadium is in football mode to "ensure the supporter proximity to the pitch" that Everton wants (LONDON TIMES, 4/12).