Kings Dock / Nearly There!

Bill Kenwright CBE

The up & down roller coaster ride that is the Kings Dock, took a few more turns this week. We have learned that although the Club won't get the deal sorted for the end of the year deadline, & in the process lose "preferred developer" status, Everton will go ahead to finalise a financial package that will provide the £30m for the stadium & will also guarantee £35m from the residential and commercial side. This is a remarkable turnaround from a month ago, when lots of doubters were saying 'the dock won't get off the ground'. Blue Bill says: "A lot of hard work has been put in over the last few months, but I must stress that a lot more must still be done. However, I am confident that a position can be reached where all those parties involved can be satisfied."

The £30m has come from various institutions, with a Scottish Bank providing what they call in the trade 'Solid Money'. This is the key to it all, & Liverpool Vision & the other public sector partners are happy everything is moving in the right direction.

The fans will be more than happy, as the deal will allow Everton to still have ownership of 50% in the stadium. If not Blue Bill would have had to go back to the fans & ask them to vote again. (20/12/02)

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