THE construction of the Nelson Mandela Bay Multipurpose Stadium which will host several games during the 2010 Fifa World Cup reached a significant milestone today.

In a big move towards completion of the stadium and its handover at the end of April 2009, the last of the 36 roof truss girders was fitted today in a commemorative event broadcast on SABC 2’s Morning Live.

This is a fantastic development not only for Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape but for South Africa and Africa at large.

When South Africa made a promise to host the biggest event in the world in 2004, we were sure to deliver on that promise. The delivery of the Nelson Mandela Bay Multipurpose Stadium in May will be a big step in that process.

Several events are lined up to test the waters when the stadium gets operational in May. Among other things, the first trial game is planned for that month, while the first full capacity match will be staged on June 16, 2009, when the British and Irish Lions will play an Eastern Cape Coastal team.

The stadium will seat 44 000 in addition to 4 000 extra seats which will be temporarily installed for the World Cup. With that capacity, the stadium is sure to host eight games during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including a third and fourth place playoff and a quarter final.

The stadium building is approximately 40m high and consists of six levels on the western side in addition to five on each of the north, south and east stands. Two big viewing screens will be installed for the live viewing of events as well as two conference rooms, which are able to accommodate 200 people will be situated on the 5th level.

There are four ramps for easy wheelchair access, 74 toilet blocks as well as 32 colour coded turnstile gates. There are 23 private boxes with a planned additional 22 private boxes, including two bars, as part of the post World Cup building.

All aspects of the project have factored in energy efficiency as a key element. These include energy-saving designs, the building management system, and temperature control and reduced energy consumption rates. The bulk sewer and bulk water line, to service the stadium development has also been completed. The playing field (pitch) is natural grass with the outer and surrounding areas consisting of artificial turf. The laying of the pitch was completed in December 2008.

Fact sheet on Nelson Mandela Bay Multipurpose Stadium

Volume of material excavated	138 000m3
Volume of imported fill material	110 000m3
Volume of concrete placed	31 000m3
Steel reinforcement	3 000t
Area PTFE membrane	20 000m2
Area aluminum metal cladding	20 000m2
Roof Steel Mass	2 000t
Total length of piles installed	21 km
Total length of pre cast seating installed	12,7km
Height of the structure	34m
Roof span	46m
Stadium Capacity	48 459
Total Floor Area	55 000m2
Number of Rooms	1 015
Number of Kiosks	54
Number of Offices	24
Number of Private Suites
Business Club (2)	174
Number of Floodlights	264
Total Length of ICT Cables	450 km
Number of CCTV Cameras	220
Number of Loud Speakers	35
Number of Turnstiles	64
Reply Screens (55m2)	2
Score Boards	2

Source: Mandela Metro
www.mandelametro.gov.za