St. George's Park 'topped out'
Wednesday 30 November 2011
St George's Park took another step towards completion on Tuesday when a 'topping out' ceremony was held to commemorate the final part of the roof going on the Hilton and Hampton by Hilton hotels.
Officials from The FA, Hilton Hotels and construction firm Bowmer and Kirkland gathered for at SGP which will become The FA's new home for football development, due to open next summer, and Hilton hotel complex that will feature a 142- bedroom Hilton hotel alongside an 86-bed Hampton by Hilton.
FATV were on hand to hear what SGP Chairman David Sheepshanks, Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton's Senior Vice-President Development Europe & Africa, and Paul Lomas, Bowmer & Kirkland Group Construction Director, has to say.
Click on the player to watch the FATV video from the day.
David Sheepshanks, SGP Chairman, declared the topping out ceremony as a special day: "This is another milestone on the creation of St. George's Park, which has been a dream in many of our minds for many, many years. 2012 is set to be a landmark year in the history of English football.
"We are so excited to be working with Hilton and Hampton by Hilton. We chose you after an extensive process as the absolute best partner for our hotel."
He added: "There will be a facility that is accessible to everyone, to the local people and the young people of staffordshire and south derbyshire. this will be a hotel that is open to all."
Patrick Fitzgibbon, Hilton's Senior Vice-President Development Europe & Africa, continued: "Great sporting venues and great sporting events are all about people. What you have done here and the legacy you will create is something you should be very proud of.
"For The FA to pull this off in the current climate, to be on time, on budget is truly extraordinary. It's a pleasure to come on the site and see so many people so busy. To open late summer next year will be a magnificent achievement and one we're very proud to be associated with."
"The is a very special job, it's a very special day and a very special location," added Paul Lomas, Bowmer & Kirkland Group Construction Director.
"We have over 450 people currently employed on this project. It's a major construction project and the vast majority are keen football fans and are thrilled to be helping deliver this state-of-the-art facility."