Progress on the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium is on the brink of another significant milestone – the completion of the steelworks.
Early next week the framework for the eye-catching new West Stand at the venue in Perry Barr will be fully in place, and work to add fixtures, fittings and all of the features required by a world-class sporting arena is now starting.
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is an exciting milestone and it’s testament to the hard work and efforts of all involved that we have made such progress despite the challenges of delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We can now clearly see what the new stadium will look like when complete – congratulations to everyone who is working on the redevelopment.”
The project is on budget and scheduled for completion in spring 2022.
Martin Keys, Operations Director for lead contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “This is a really important milestone for the Alexander Stadium Redevelopment project.
“Considering the challenges of COVID-19, the complex roof design, and erecting the steel over the winter months; we have been able to complete the steel on programme. It is a really exciting moment for the project and demonstrates that when we work collaboratively together as a team we can overcome difficult obstacles.”
Funding for the Alexander Stadium Redevelopment comes from three sources: Birmingham City Council (£27.4million), the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (£20million) and West Midlands Combined Authority (£25million).
Arup are designers for the Alexander Stadium redevelopment, covering all engineering services and architectural design, with Mace acting as project and programme managers, both appointed by Birmingham City Council.
James Watts, Associate Director at Arup, said: “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement for all involved. It has been a true demonstration of proactive and collaborative working.
“Within Arup alone, our team of architects, engineers, planners and specialists have contributed more than 37 years of effort so far to help deliver what will be a wonderful sporting facility for Birmingham.
“With the steel frame now virtually completed, the curvature of the new stand that will become the stadium’s signature is visible for all.
“The 1,400 tonnes of steelwork has been designed, detailed and fabricated in the UK, with police escorts required for the longest components of the roof structure, which are 35 metres in length. If laid end-to-end, the steelwork would very nearly complete 50 laps of the new track!
“There is still a long way to go, but all involved should be proud of what has been achieved to date.”
Paul Robertson, Associate Director at Mace, said: “Celebrating the final piece of steel being installed is exciting for a project which has not been without its challenges.
“This time last year we were facing the prospect of starting construction in the middle of a pandemic yet works continue on time and on budget as we move towards the 12-month on-site milestone in May this year. The team partnership and approach has been exceptional, and everyone is pulling together as we move into this next critical phase of the project.”