Telstra Stadiums roofs commence construction
Telstra Stadium Chief Executive, Ken Edwards, made this announcement today following resolution of the design and construction of the roofing program that will complete the final stage of the Stadium's post Olympic $80 million reconfiguration.
Mr Edwards said agreement over the design and construction of the roofs had been reached following discussions between the building contractors, Stadium Australia Group (SAG) and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA).
Brian Newman, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority said the decision was welcomed by all parties involved, meaning the job of completing the Stadium in time for the Rugby World Cup, could get under way.
The new roof design will provide cover for a large area at the northern and southern ends of the Stadium and, most importantly, significantly reduce potential turf growing problems.
"This final outcome is a common sense compromise between form and function and is a great result for everyone concerned," declared Mr Edwards. "We will have roofs over the northern and southern ends of Telstra Stadium for the first time in its history and the playing surface will not be significantly affected by shadows cast by the roof structure," he said.
Completion of the roof construction project is expected by mid-year, well in advance of the opening of the Rugby World Cup at Telstra Stadium on 10 October 2003.
"Telstra Stadium was originally designed to be a rectangular pitch stadium and this was strongly reflected in the original design. Recent enhancements benefit other sports played at Telstra Stadium, such as the AFL, as the redesigned roofs will accommodate both rectangular and oval sporting fields," Mr Newman said.
Mr Edwards was confident there would be little effect on events held at the Stadium during the period of construction.
"Much pre-fabrication work will be completed off-site before the final phase of lifting the large sections of the roof into place. Therefore we won't have cranes or scaffolding occupying a significant number of seats for long periods of time," he said.
Mr Edwards said the Stadium's playing surface was an important consideration when agreeing to the final roof design.
"We can't have the situation where lack of sunlight and poor ventilation damages the playing surface. Grass needs sunlight and air movement to grow and experience elsewhere has shown just how important it is to get this right," he said.
