SAINTS chairman Eamonn McManus is confident the proposed £25million stadium would give the club a home that in "rugby league terms is world class".
Blueprints to be submitted to the local authority today (Thursday) detail plans for a 17,980-capacity stadium alongside a Tesco supermarket and a public square at the former United Glass site, Peasley Cross.
The new stadium would be a single tier of seating and terracing, with 10,380 seats and 7,600-standing, covered by a continuous oval roof.
Developers liken the roof's design to the shape of a Saints halo and believe it would be spectacular sight during floodlit matches.
Terracing areas will be positioned at either end of the stadium, though there will also be seating areas in front of the standing sections.
In an interview with the St Helens Star ahead of today's announcement McManus said: "This stadium could be the best in British Rugby league.
Although not the biggest in terms of capacity, we think it could be the best in terms of quality in Super League.
"We are talking about a high specification stadium and it is safe to say the roof is in the shape of a Saints halo.
"There will be one very high spec stand with corporate and conferencing facilities and bars. In rugby terms, it is no exaggeration to say that the stadium will be world class."
Supporters of the proposals for the former United Glass site on Peasley Cross believe a new stadium would be an iconic landmark for St Helens.
McManus added the major design and structure of the stadium are fixed, although there is the possibility supporters could still be consulted over some details.
He added: "There could be some room for talks perhaps for more seating and less standing, but we are confident the calibre and user friendly nature of the stadium would be universally applauded by the supporters."
The developers, Langtree, and Saints have assembled what they believe is a top class team to design and oversee the proposed construction project.
International architects Building Design Partnership have drawn up the blueprints.
They have experience of designing two new grandstands at Aintree racecourse, the Number One tennis court at Wimbledon, and the Sydney Olympic Tennis Centre.
Meanwhile, the proposed project at the former United Glass site would be managed by construction and property consultants AYH, the firm responsible for overseeing Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium.
John Downes, managing director of Langtree Group plc, said: "There has been a considerable effort in terms of design.
"We have recruited the right team of architects, project managers and engineers and so we have drilled down into the detail of design and are very confident we have created a product of very high quality.
"There is clearly a difference between this and the Emirates but the experience AYH have taken from that has been and will be invaluable in this process.
"But it is not just about how it looks it is about people movement, ease of use of facilities efficiency of the building."
Meanwhile, McManus confirmed the financial package for the stadium is in place. The £25m plus fund will be generated from the sale of Knowsley Road, investment from Langtree and St Helens Council. There is also a grant from the North West Development Agency for the remediation of the brownfield United Glass site.
Further coverage of the stadium
See a video interview with Eamonn McManus
Exlusive pictures of Saints stadium
All the reaction from key figures in the town
Read about the community focus of the stadium
Discuss the stadium in your forum
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