Qatar 2022 World Cup stadium works in full swing
Khalifa International Stadium expected to be completed in first quarter of 2017
Construction work on eight of the proposed host venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is in full swing, the Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has said, adding that the Khalifa International Stadium – the first host stadium – is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2017.
With the event kicking off six years from now, work on the eight proposed host venues are currently at different stages of construction, with work advancing rapidly on the different sites.
The stadiums have been designed by a variety of leading architects to reflect different aspects of Qatari culture while also keeping three key priorities in mind – access and comfort, sustainability and post-tournament legacy.
For the Khalifa International Stadium, the SC said that construction is moving at a rapid pace, with external cladding and LED screens coming up around the exterior of the venue.
The complex system of cabling for the roof of the stadium has also been completed, with the canopy roof likely to be fixed in place within the coming weeks. Once the roof has been completed, the countdown towards the finalisation of the renovation and upgrading works will be underway, SC said.
The 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium at Al Khor C is scheduled to host the semi-final matches at the tournament. Construction of the project is well underway, with the recent successful installation of elements of the main structure taking place. Current ongoing works include the construction of access tunnels to the stadium and bridges to the venue.
The Al Bayt Stadium’s design is meant to mirror a Bedouin tent, as a symbol of Qatari hospitality. It will also have a retractable roof which will be able to close within 20 minutes, allowing for optimal playing conditions.
SC said that the workers’ accommodation for the project has been completed, which has been built according to the SC Workers’ Welfare Standards.
Meanwhile, the Qatar Foundation Stadium, which is located near Doha’s Education City, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019. The venue will host fixtures up to the quarter-final stage.
Further bulk excavation works of a total volume of 650,000 cubic metres to formation level, and the implementation of a dewatering system for the next main-package contractor have been completed in recent months, SC said.
By the end of 2016, the main-works contractor is expected to be fully mobilised onsite, with work progressing on the schematic design, while foundation works will be finished. The securing of a large portion of the structural steel for the superstructure will also be completed by then, the council added.
Meanwhile, the Al Wakrah Stadium, a 40,000-seat venue designed by the late Zaha Hadid has seen the main contractor come on board and work is underway to prepare the stadium design to be issued for construction. Foundation works on the project are progressing well, SC said. Three cranes have been installed within the stadium bowl onsite and works are advancing to prepare for the start of above ground construction by year-end.
A total of six 60-tonne cranes will be working onsite, in order to bring the structure of the stadium up from the ground.
For the Al Rayyan Stadium, SC said that the first concrete was recently poured on the West Stand area of the stadium. The main contractor for that project is continuing to advance on the construction of the 40,000-seat stadium. More than 100,000 cubic metres of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel will be used on the project.
Construction work on the Lusail Stadium – the opening venue of the tournament and the host of the final – is also moving smoothly, the SC said. The 80,000-seat stadium is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.
Schematic design work is ongoing, while early works have been completed and the project team has relocated to the site.
The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is currently seeing early works underway, the SC said. It added that the stadium will bring the ‘design for legacy’ concept onto the world stage, as the stadium will one of the first sports venues that will have the ability to transform into a dynamic mixed-use urban neighbourhood once the tournament is over.
Finally, the eighth proposed venue – the Al Thumama Stadium – will have a capacity of 40,000 seats, which will then be reduced to a maximum of 20,000 seats following the tournament. Early works are currently underway on that project, with preparations taking place for the main construction work to commence. These include levelling and grading works, the SC concluded.