Two cities remain in battle for stadium

DESIGN was “absolutely crucial” in the Sports Council’s shortlisting on Tuesday of Manchester and Wembley as potential hosts for a national sports stadium.

The Sports Council was expected to announce a winner this week, but only Bradford, Birmingham and Sheffield were discounted. The final choice is now due in three to six months.

“It would be unacceptable to compromise on the design. It’s absolutely crucial,” says council chairman Rodney Walker.

Arup Associates is the architect for Manchester’s bid, in conjunction with developer HOK International. Wembley is planning to hold an international architectural competition if it wins the 100m of Lottery funding.

The Millennium Commission will contribute up to 2.8m towards design fees out of its 50m grant just announced for the new Tate Gallery of Modern Art at London’s Bankside Power Station. Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron were selected in a competition in January (DW 27 January).

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