‘Blue moon’ to mark Manchester City's former home
By Deborah Linton
June 24, 2010
A grass circle, bordered by a blue ceramic crescent which will be illuminated at night, will take pride of place at the heart of a regeneration project in Moss Side – the Blues' home for 80 years.
A glowing blue moon will mark the centre spot of Manchester City's historic Maine Road ground.
A grass circle, bordered by a blue ceramic crescent which will be illuminated at night, will take pride of place at the heart of a regeneration project in Moss Side – the Blues' home for 80 years.
The design, chosen by people living in Moss Side in consultation with artist Stephen Broadbent, will provide an elevated grassed area.
It is also set to feature a wi-fi connection which will connect to a dedicated website allowing visitors and residents to share memories of the old football ground. They are also being asked to choose an inscription to run around the granite edge of the artwork, which will be installed on the exact spot of the Maine Road centre circle.
City played their last match at Maine Road in 2003, before moving to Eastlands. The ground was pulled down to make way for a new school, Divine Mercy RC Primary School, which opened last year on Blue Moon Way, and more than 300 homes being built by Lowry Homes.
Lowry have put up £50,000 for the commission which will provide a centrepiece for their development, called Maine Place. The council is seeking funders to help them raise the final £70,000, before the piece can be installed.
Stephen Broadbent, who also designed the bronze inlays on the city's Cathedral Gardens fountains, said: “It’s been brilliant working with the people of Moss Side who have been really welcoming and shown great enthusiasm for this project. It is evident that there’s a real depth of feeling about the football here still. It’s just one of the stories of a fascinating area, but it is still a significant story and I look forward to working with the community to tell it.”
Becky Leighton, of Lowry Homes, added: “During the original design and planning of the development we sought creative ways to permanently recognise the location’s rich history and this artwork is beautifully in keeping with that objective.”
Coun Mike Amesbury, Manchester's culture and leisure spokesman, said: “This piece of art celebrates both the site’s proud past and its exciting future. The centre spot artwork will be a space which residents, pupils and visitors alike can use and enjoy and I’m sure it will be a welcome addition to Moss Side."
