By Paul Nicholson
October 2 – With the world watching out for the safety and welfare of the migrant labour, construction of stadia for the Qatar 2022 World Cup has begun in earnest with the Supreme Committee for delivery and Legacy revealing that it is at different stages of build on five stadiums.
Qatar originally proposed 12 venues for the World Cup, but only eight are required according to FIFA regulations. There has been some discussion on reducing the number of venues, with 10 looking like the more practical number for Qatar. The final number will be decided at the march 2015 meeting of FIFA’s executive committee.
One change to construction plans has been the decision to pull down the existing Al Rayyan Stadium and rebuild a 43,000 seat arena. The original plan had to been to extend the stadium upwards from its 22,000 capacity.
Deconstruction works have started on the stadium. The site will also include training pitches, as well as a social club, cricket ground, trails for running or walking, plus various other sporting and civic facilities. The stadium is scheduled for completion in 2019.
“With this important step, and the detailed planning that has gone into the precinct surrounding the stadium, we are also ensuring a lasting legacy for Al Rayyan, which will benefit from an integrated and sustainable sporting facility,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, of the Qatar Supreme Committee.
The plan to have a modular upper tier that will be disassembled and used to build football facilities in developing countries is still in place. Once removed the stadium capacity will reduce to 20,000.
Manco International General Contracting, a joint venture between Manco and Buckingham Group Contracting, holds the contract for early works and deconstruction works. Both the contractors and the Qatar Supreme Committee are quick to point out they are working to the Workers’ Welfare Standards agreed.
Other venues currently underway are Al Wakrah Stadium (enabling works); Qatar Foundation Stadium (enabling works); Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City (early works); and Khalifa International Stadium (main contractor works).
Last year plans were unveiled for the the Al Wakrah stadium (which will hold 16 games) plans were unveiled. http://www.insideworldfootball.com/world-cup/qatar-2022/14678-qataris-release-more-detail-of-al-wakrah-stadium-schedule?highlight=WyJhbCIsIndha3JhaCIsInN0YWRpdW0iLCJhbCB3YWtyYWgiLCJhbCB3YWtyYWggc3RhZGl1bSIsIndha3JhaCBzdGFkaXVtIl0=
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734859009labto1734859009ofdlr1734859009owedi1734859009sni@n1734859009osloh1734859009cin.l1734859009uap1734859009