GL events UK has commenced work on the third, major stage of its four-phase agreement to redevelop St James Park, the home of Exeter City Football Club.
The works were procured under a JCT Design and Build Contract in April 2017. GL events’ agreement with Exeter City FC combines demolition, construction and redevelopment of the existing stadium, with close consideration to ensure minimal disruption, ensuring safety and continuity for the Club and its fans, as well as compliance with guidelines issued by international football’s governing body, FIFA.
Phase one of the project was completed in August and saw the GL events stadia team installing a smart new spectator toilet block for Grecians’ home fans seated in the Big Bank stand. These additional facilities will ensure compliance with FIFA regulations throughout the duration of the project, which will see the demolition and redevelopment of existing spectator facilities throughout the ground.
Upon completion of the Big Bank toilet block, the GL events team began phase two of the partnership: a new suite of players’ and officials’ changing and bathing facilities, installed beneath the Club’s existing Flybe main stand. As well as mains services, this second phase included the installation of a new concrete floor, walls, staircase, mechanical and engineering services, as well as a full internal fit-out. External works included tarmac and safety lighting barriers, to ensure public safety for the duration of the works.
With this work completed on schedule, in September, the GL events team took possession of the third and largest phase of the project, the Stagecoach Redevelopment, which is now well underway. Before demolishing and completely re-building Exeter’s Stagecoach Stand, it was first necessary to remove internal and roof asbestos materials from the existing stand. This hazardous substance was safely managed and disposed of in accordance with HSE and CDM regulations, before demolition works commenced.
With the Stagecoach Stand demolition in progress, ground works are due to commence in December 2017. Concrete pile foundations will be bored 12m into the ground, before pad foundations are laid, and 2.5m-high retaining walls are constructed to the rear of the new stand, which is constructed upon sloping ground. A galvanised steel superstructure will be craned into place, forming a frame for pre-cast concrete terracing, as well as cladding to the roof and walls.
New, counter-balanced, polypropylene seating products, manufactured by GL events in the Club’s red and white colours, will ensure a roomy and comfortable seating experience for fans! Meanwhile, toilets, refreshment outlets and trade facilities will be incorporated by GL events into the under-croft of the stand, which will be finished with media suites and reporters’ desks to the rear.
This phase will be completed within nine months, during which time the Stagecoach construction site will remain hoarded-off to ensure the safe, compliant, and aesthetically pleasing continuity of Club operations.
The final phase of the project is due to commence in April 2018, and will see GL events completely removing and redeveloping St James Park’s Away Stand; much to the benefit of visiting fans, who will enjoy new toilet facilities as well as a new standing terrace, complete with bespoke stonemasonry and bespoke boundary walls.
GL events’ stadia construction team, which includes structural engineers, quantity surveyors, in-house designers and stadium construction specialists, offers complete permanent and temporary solutions for stadia.
If you’d like to know more about GL events’ professional and cost-effective solutions for stadiums and sporting events, get in touch to let us know more about your plans.
