Consortium starts work at stadium site
The contractors who will design and build Christchurch’s $473 million central city stadium have started on-site works.
It was announced last month local companies will partner global giants to build the covered, 25,000-seat stadium, due for completion at the end of 2024.
The companies have formed a consor- tium called Ko¯ tui to finalise the stadium design and then build it.
A work notice provided by the city council showed the consortium’s on-site geotechnical and environmental works started on Friday and were expected to finish near the end of May.
The work, taking place on weekdays between 7am and 6pm, has meant public car parks on the site of the stadium will be temporarily closed.
A council spokesman confirmed this work would be the first on-site work completed by the consortium.
Local companies in the consortium include infrastructure builders Fulton Hogan, construction company Southbase, architects Warren and Mahoney, and engineering consultants Powell Fenwick.
Overseas giants include BESIX Watpac, which will lead the project, and architects Populous.
Alistair Pearson, the council’s manager for capital delivery of major facilities, said the consortium of contractors would work with consultants Golder on the geotechnical and environment works.
Pearson said those works could be carried out despite the ongoing negotiations over the future of the NG building on Madras St, which the Government is trying to acquire as it sits within the stadium’s footprint.
Talks about the building’s future are continuing with the owners.
Council documents show the geotechnical works are part of the stadium’s enabling works phase, while early works are expected to begin later this year and conclude in early 2022.
Meanwhile, the design of the stadium will be finalised throughout 2021, with construction in proper beginning early next year.
Several key decisions about the stadium design are still yet to be made, including the orientation of the pitch and the style of seating.
Council-owned company Venues Otautahi, ¯ formally Vbase, is also working to determine if the stadium’s proposed events schedule from the initial investment case needs to be tweaked due to financial changes in light of Covid-19.
Venues O¯ tautahi will operate the stadium when it opens.
The consortium of contractors who will build the stadium was announced at the end of March.