Stadium construction boosts steel sector

A raft of recently proposed football stadium projects will boost the steel construction sector as initial plans indicate the majority will feature steel-framed grandstands.

Steel-framed projects on the horizon include new stadiums for Brentford, Scunthorpe United and Tottenham Hotspur, while Exeter City has announced a major redevelopment of its ground that will include the construction of student accommodation.

High profile on going stadium jobs include the expansion of Liverpool FC’s main stand, with steelwork being carried out by Severfield, and William Hare’s erection of the new roof for the former London Olympic Stadium as part of the conversion that will see it become the new home of West Ham United in 2016.

The new stadium for Scunthorpe United (pictured) is to be built close to current Glanford Park and will have an initial capacity of 12,000, but with a configuration that will allow a future increase to 18,000.

The club is hoping to erect the steel-framed structure in several months and within a tight budget of £18M.

The design was carried out by Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP), a company with a couple of British stadiums in their portfolio.

A spokesperson for FWP said the design incorporates a curvy bowl significantly dominated by the main stand. Though incorporated into the bowl, the stand’s roof is to span beyond the stadium, creating an arch and adding to the dynamism.

Work on Brentford FC’s new Community Stadium in Kew, west London could begin later this year as overall project developer Willmott Dixon has recently appointed Buckingham (the company that has won the contract to build the Scunthorpe stadium) as main contractor.

Tottenham Hotspur’s new 56,000 capacity stadium is expected to be ready in time for the 2018/19 season and construction work could begin next year.