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Saturday, October 31, 2009 |
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Fair play @ Princess Magogo Stadium, Kwamashu
:: News
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Source: Dave Lourenco
The development of Princess Magogo is forging ahead and the sports stadium will serve as one of South Africa’s largest training venues for the 2010 World Cup. The contract commenced in January 2009 and involves both civil and building operations.
The stadium grounds will incorporate an athletics track, ball courts and the entire field and banks have been reconstructed to align with the new stands. The infrastructure around the stadium is also being upgraded with the aim of developing the venue as a sports and events hub for the local community. Very strict environmental restrictions were imposed on the extensive external works as the surrounding area falls under a ‘wetland’ reserve zone. On a ‘green note’, the stadium grass will be grown from sprigs on site. The grass on the pitch will be to similar specifications as Durban’s main stadium - the Moses Mabhida stadium - and the grass will therefore serve as a back-up should anything go wrong at the main stadium.
The demolition and underpinning of the foundations of the existing structure was required to accommodate the new grandstand extension and additional floor levels. The mezzanine levels comprise offices and VIP/hospitality suites, which will be used to host different events once the World Cup is over. The extent of the roof structure will incorporate walkways and platforms to accommodate camera crews, inline with SABC and SuperSport requirements. Close attention has been paid to the general finishes and specifications as a whole in order to meet FIFA standards.
“Our greatest challenge”, said Dave Lourenco, site agent, “is the time frames for completion, which is scheduled for the end of 2009. We have increased our resources and up to 400 people are employed at peak. We have several work-faces running concurrently, so close co-ordination of operations is vital, in particular with regard to the access required for the erection of the four 46m high lighting masts and the surrounding follow-on trades”.
In terms of employment, it was an integral (and audited) part of the contract that the surrounding community benefits from the employment opportunities. “This applied not only to Stefanutti Stocks,” says Dave, “but also to our subcontractors. A lot of effort was invested in training and transferring the necessary skills to these individuals, and ensuring that the quality of work and our attention to detail was upheld at all times”.
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