Islington Council top brass were at Arsenal Stadium yesterday (15 August) for the 'topping out' ceremony for the new 60,000 seat Emirates Stadium, currently under construction by contractors Sir Robert McAlpine.<br><br>The traditional ceremony celebrates the construction project's highest point - the 40m high roof structure.<br><br>Manager Arsène Wenger helped kick off the symbolic moment at Emirates Stadium, in which Vice Chairman David Dein and Directors Ken Friar, Keith Edelman and Danny Fiszman, played an 'Arsenal versus McAlpine' 'friendly', watched by 150 VIP guests including Islington's Council's Cllr Bridget Fox, Mayor Jonathan Dearth and Chief Executive Helen Bailey. <br><br>Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr Bridget Fox said:<br><br>"The council has been determined to make sure the scheme makes the best use of the opportunities for local people and fits with our priority corporate projects 'One Islington' and 'A1 Borough'.<br><br>The Emirates Stadium and the wider developments are bringing a lasting legacy to Islington of jobs, housing and regeneration.”<br><br>As part of the traditions of a topping out ceremony, stadium contractors Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd nailed an evergreen bough in the stadium, the ‘last’ section of concrete was placed and a ‘noggin of ale’ was given to the stadium works manager.<br><br>Arsenal Director, Danny Fiszman, who has been instrumental in the Club’s move to Emirates Stadium, said: “Today’s event signifies a key moment in both the construction of Emirates Stadium and the future of Arsenal Football Club. Sir Robert McAlpine and all the project team should be hugely congratulated for what has been achieved to date in the building of the stadium. We are now one step closer to playing our first competitive match at Emirates Stadium in August 2006, a day we are all very excited about.”<br><br>Construction of Emirates Stadium will be completed in time for the start of the 2006/07 season.<br> <br> <br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009