FP McCann Achieves Commonwealth Games Double Stadium Success
Projects: Alexander Stadium Birmingham/City of Manchester Stadium
(Commonwealth Games 2022/2002)
Products Supplied: Structural Precast Concrete Stadia Systems including Standard and Curved Terrace Seating Units; Non-standard Terracing Sections; Base Slabs; Double Step Blocks; Precast Concrete Stair Flights and Landings; Vomitory Walls; Precast Balcony Units
FP McCann has achieved the notable accolade of supplying the precast concrete terracing and complementary stadia structural units to both the 2022 Commonwealth Games stadium in Birmingham and the 2002 City of Manchester Stadium, which twenty years ago held the last Games to be hosted in the UK.
The redevelopment of Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium for the 2022 Commonwealth Games starting on 28th July, was completed earlier this year. The main focal point of the £72 million stadium is the impressive new West Stand. Designed by Arup in conjunction with Associated Architects, the appointed project management group Mace, awarded the main contract to redevelop the stadium to Northern Ireland construction company McLaughlin & Harvey.
FP McCann successfully tendered for the supply of the precast concrete structural stadia units and working alongside the McLaughlin & Harvey team and structural steelwork specialist BHC Installations, the build was successfully completed with all product specifications and delivery schedules being met.
The West Stand measuring 153 metres long with a maximum height of 28.5 metres was erected using some 1,450 tonnes of steel in the main frame. In total, FP McCann supplied in excess of 1500 individual precast concrete units, comprising curved and straight terrace seating units, base slabs, and double step blocks. Additional items included precast vomitory and lift shaft walls, precast concrete stair flights and landings and precast balcony units. All products were manufactured and supplied from the Company’s specialist precast facilities at Grantham and Littleport.
A spokesperson for McLaughlin & Harvey comments, “The Commonwealth Games in 2022 will be seen around the world and the structural contribution that FP McCann’s precast concrete products has made, can be clearly seen around Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.”
It was a similar story in 2002 with the City of Manchester Stadium being the centrepiece for the last Commonwealth Games hosted by the UK. The site, a former industrial area of East Manchester was transformed into a multi-sports and hospitality facility for the Games, later to become the home of Manchester City Football Club and renamed the Etihad Stadium.
Main contractor Laing Ltd was tasked with the build and recognising the architectural and structural complexity of the bowl shape stadium, employed the services of the FP McCann team in Byley, Cheshire to design, manufacture and deliver the many precast concrete elements required.
Of the 3,876 individual precast units supplied, over 50% were represented by standard terrace seating units. However due to the complex nature of the project, a number of specialist non-standard terracing sections were manufactured, the most demanding being a front balcony unit; a one piece double terrace unit with an integral upstand wall and cast in handrail provision. Other items included step blocks, stair flights and landings and vomitory wall sections.
In the case of both Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium and the City of Manchester Stadium, the contribution that FP McCann’s structural precast concrete stadia systems have made can be clearly seen around each stadium.
For further information on FP McCann’s specialist solutions, contact the team at Littleport on 01353 861416 or email sales@fpmccann.co.uk
