OUR JOURNEY On 24th May 2013, the Gibraltar Football Association became a full member of UEFA. Together, the GFA and UEFA have identified the need for Gibraltar to develop a new national stadium that meets UEFA standards for international football – a European landmark that will also allow us to play our home matches in Gibraltar. This 8 page pull-out will guide you through our journey to develop a new stadium – as well as introduce you to the ambitious architectural design and answer any questions you may have about the exciting development at Europa Point. For more information visit WWW.EUROPAPOINTSTADIUM.COM
An advertorial supplement issued by the Gibraltar Football Association.
EUROPA POINT A NEW STADIUM FOR GIBRALTAR
The benefits of UEFA membership.
Photography by David Parody
Being accepted as a full member of UEFA will have a positive affect on Gibraltar at many levels: Membership will mean that Gibraltar football will benefit from future UEFA funding, experience, networking and training… today and for ever. This will also mean that future generations of footballers will have the opportunity to play the best of European football and the chance to be professional football players. The positive UEFA vote will move Gibraltar football on to a new level of professionalism. Secondly, UEFA membership has connected the Gibraltar Football Association with over 50 National Football Associations, who now know of Gibraltar and have become our friends. These pan-European FAs are helping Gibraltar to improve their game through competition, at all levels. This relationship is already fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation.
Thirdly, it has created fantastic exposure for Gibraltar internationally with a potential audience reach of 2 billion people worldwide. The UEFA win has already improved the general perception and understanding of Gibraltar – helping to win it greater empathy around the world.
Photography by David Parody
VICTORIA STADIUM
The Government of Gibraltar has already seen increased inward investment for tourism, financial services and the on-line gaming industry and its ‘soft power value’ as a nation has increased dramatically.
Victoria Stadium has been the home of international and domestic football in Gibraltar since the 1940s.
Finally, UEFA membership has galvanised the 30,000 people who live in Gibraltar, giving the whole nation a sense of pride and confidence. It will not only improve football on The Rock but has given Gibraltarians new hope and ambition for their future.
Over the years, our stadium has played host to teams including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid, HNK Hajduk Split and more recently, Portsmouth FC, Charlton Athletic FC, and the Republic of Ireland.
This campaign has been a ‘game changer’ for Gibraltar, in every respect – and a new chapter in the nation’s football starts here.
Now, as full members of UEFA, Gibraltar must develop a football stadium that meets all of UEFA’s standards for hosting top-level European football. We plan to build a state-of-the-art arena that allows our national team to continue to compete on home soil.
For more information visit WWW.EUROPAPOINTSTADIUM.COM
Why do we need to improve our stadium? 1. Why do we need a new stadium, when one already exists? Victoria Stadium is not a Category 4 stadium, which means it fails to meet UEFA minimum standards for international football. It has both limited amenities and capacity, with little prospect of expansion. Victoria Stadium is, at best, a Category 2 stadium, meaning that it would not be suitable to host an international qualifier for Gibraltar’s national team. Victoria Stadium is also a government-owned multi-sports facility, which presents problems in terms of availability.
2. Why do we have to comply with UEFA standards and what are they? As members of UEFA, we are obligated to comply with the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations. There are a number of UEFA standards relating to capacity, facilities (including medical facilities) and the provision of services for fans and media. The new stadium will incorporate all of these.
3. Why can’t we upgrade the existing Victoria Stadium? The current site is too limited and restricted, in both size and capacity, because of its location (proximity to the airport, roads and residential areas). As such, there is little prospect of expansion.
4. What will happen if we don’t comply with UEFA standards for stadiums? Our fans will be unable to watch their own national team play in Gibraltar.
5. Why have the GFA and UEFA selected Europa Point as a location for the new stadium? The location is a magnificent European landmark. The site overlooks the Strait and acts as a ‘bridge’ between the continents of Europe and Africa, giving it unique symbolic value. Europa Point is large enough to accommodate the quality of stadium required by UEFA and FIFA, allowing Gibraltarians to both enjoy the facility in comfort and feel proud of their national stadium. Europa Point is an underdeveloped heritage site and provides an opportunity to fuse the worlds of sport, culture and heritage in one truly distinctive site.
Photography by David Parody
6. Why is it important for Gibraltar to have a new stadium, apart from the UEFA standards? The stadium will be a ‘signature’ building for Gibraltar. Gibraltarian football fans deserve a venue where they can watch their national team play – and a building they can be proud of. Gibraltar is a footballing nation and the people deserve a ‘football cathedral’. The stadium is also designed to be used every day of the year for a wide variety of activities. The venue will become a 21st Century centre for a range of leisure and world-class cultural events.
9. How will the Europa Point Stadium be used? It will be used primarily for football but will also be a community facility. The people of Gibraltar as a whole (not just football fans) will be able to enjoy it and be proud of it. The stadium is specifically designed to host community events, including music concerts, conferences, private functions and a range of other activities.
10. Can anyone use it? Yes. Everyone will be able to enjoy the facilities on offer.
“ When Gibraltar’s name is called out, when it comes out of the hat, when we play a match, people will now remember Gibraltar not just for the 11 guys playing on the field doing us proud, but because of what Gibraltar stands for internationally. And that’s the huge value, beyond football, of being in UEFA.”
Fabian Picardo Gibraltar Chief Minister
7. What is ‘soft power’ and how is it being used to judge a nation’s status, standing and reputation in the world? ‘Soft power’ is a country’s ability to project itself internationally. The Europa Point Stadium will represent Gibraltarian ‘soft power’ because of its location (at the crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic), its quality (it will be a ‘signature’ building for the country) its symbolism (it will be the symbol of Gibraltarian success in the sporting and cultural world) and its imagery (it will reflect Gibraltarian iconography – the design emulates the shape of the Rock and the symbol of the castle and key).
8. Why was Europa Point chosen as the location? Were any alternatives considered? Europa Point was chosen for the reasons described in question 5. Although Gibraltar has physical limitations, alternatives were considered but were not deemed feasible for a Stadium and associated amenities.
Photography by David Parody
11. Who will determine the kind of events to be held there? As the owner of the facility, the Gibraltar Football Association will manage the site. However, the GFA are conscious that this is more than just a football venue and, as such, it will welcome all sorts of private and public events.
12. What is the overall master planning for the area as a whole? Although the GFA do not control the wider area, they are actively involved in the new stadium design, assisting in recommending compatibility of surrounding usage.
13. Will the price of going to football matches increase? The GFA will ensure that ticket prices for national team games are kept at realistic and affordable levels.
Photography by David Parody
EUROPA POINT A NEW STADIUM FOR GIBRALTAR
“ We’re very conscious at the GFA, that for the stadium to be viable, it can’t just be a football venue; it also needs to give back to the community in which it exists.” Dennis Beiso Chief Executive, Gibraltar Football Association
For more information visit WWW.EUROPAPOINTSTADIUM.COM
SCULPTING THE STADIUM The Europa Point Stadium model started life as a simple, solid rock slab.
To begin, we removed the middle section – the football pitch itself.
The two corners at the north end have been angled to offer a ‘smoother’ welcome to supporters of both teams, approaching from the east and west.
The south-western corner of the stadium is angled to mirror the fortress wall below.
The southern wall reflects the strength and solidity of the surrounding battery walls.
CAPACITY: 8,066 PLAYING SURFACE: GRASS VIP HOSPITALITY VIP SKYBOXES PANORAMIC RESTAURANT RETAIL SHOPS BARS AND CAFÉS MEDIA & CONFERENCE FACILITIES MUSEUM LIVE EVENTS
A cutaway section from the southern stand reveals a unique vista towards the Strait of Gibraltar.
A glass facade around the stadium allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views from all sides.
The base section of the stadium provides space for retail and leisure facilites.
Seating for over 8,000 spectators completes the Europa Point Stadium.
EUROPA POINT A NEW STADIUM FOR GIBRALTAR
THE PLACE Europa Point is the southernmost point of Gibraltar, a flat and barren area currently occupied by a cricket pitch and a few buildings. There are five notable buildings at Europa Point: Harding’s Battery; the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque; the Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Europe; the Europa Point Lighthouse; and the Nun’s Well. Europa Point is linked to the Eastern side of the Rock – including Sandy Bay and Catalan Bay – via the Dudley Ward Tunnel. As part of the Europa Point Stadium development, we plan to revive the ancient legend of the Pillars of Hercules, by creating two vertical beams of light on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar – symbolising the unification of Africa and Europe, and marking the gateway to the Mediterranean. On a clear day, North Africa forms a spectacular panorama across the Strait of Gibraltar, taking in Ceuta and the Rif Mountains of Morocco as well as the Bay of Gibraltar and the Spanish towns along its southern shores.
THE STADIUM AND THE EUROPA POINT MASTER PLAN The stadium will, naturally, be at the very centre of the overall site at Europa Point and will act as the ‘fulcrum’ for the development and enhancement of the site. The aim is to devise a cohesive plan for the whole area, using the stadium as a catalyst to create a true destination for both Gibraltar’s residents and visitors, to admire the spectacular views and to enjoy the new and improved facilities. This master plan contains some initial design ideas to improve Europa Point, including a new Wall Walk along the fortress (creating a promenade along the wall, with commanding views over the Strait), proposals for the St. Christopher’s School buildings, new public plazas plus exciting plans to improve access to the Nun’s Well – a key heritage site. The idea is to create a well designed and much needed public space for all to enjoy.
For more information visit WWW.EUROPAPOINTSTADIUM.COM
Site
THE DESIGN Mark Fenwick is Senior Partner of Fenwick Iribarren Architects, a large architectural practice that participates in many distinguished international projects. In recent years the office has become leaders in Football Stadium design, and is fast becoming one of the main international architectural practices with expertise in this field.
Mark Fenwick is also Architect of the first stadium to be developed in Qatar for the World Cup 2022, the Education City stadium by Qatar Foundation, which includes a totally new cooling system for spectator comfort. Mark Fenwick is co-author of the recent UEFA publication “UEFA Guide for Quality Stadiums” which is now issued in five languages, and has been a major success in Europe and World Football Federations.
Europa Point: A world-class Attraction Overlooking the Straits, Europa Point is a unique location seen by the thousands of ships that sail past Gibraltar every year. Over time the current buildings on Europa Point have been built without an overall plan for the space and the effect is both disparate and disjointed in feel. From a public space, recreation and destination point of view, the site has been under utilised and its full potential not reached.
The new Espanyol FC stadium, winner of the Stadium venue award for best Sports Venue 2010 and for Best Stadium in the First Division 2013 and also used as the centre for UEFA KISS conferences, was an international success in stadium design.
There is, however, the opportunity to create a new well-designed public space for everyone, together with the chance to create a globally recognised symbol for Gibraltar, where emblematic architecture and location combine to create an enduring landmark.
Other major projects include the new Valencia stadium for 75,000 spectators, as well as the new Albanian National stadium and the Norwegian National stadium.
“ This has definitely united Gibraltarians to feel proud of where they live and to say, ‘Well, look here, world, we are here’.” Steven E. Linares Minister for Sport, Heritage & Youth
The architect has taken great care to develop the stadium design in harmony with the nature of The Rock, ensuring that it is sensitive to the site itself. On a local level, the stadium will become an active part of the society that surrounds Europa Point; bringing much needed facilities to the south side of Gibraltar. The design scheme for the stadium will contain both business and leisure amenities, including conference and meeting spaces, restaurants, cafés and galleries, as well as sports and fitness facilities. Europa Point will become a destination for people of all ages and a recognisable symbol of Gibraltar’s national confidence.
EUROPA POINT A NEW STADIUM FOR GIBRALTAR
To find out more about Europa Point Stadium, meet the project team and read our FAQ pages about the development, please visit our website
WWW.EUROPAPOINTSTADIUM.COM