McAlpine lands Commonwealth construction contract

14 August 2009 | By James Emmett

Contract summary

Length of contract: 4 years
Annualised value: US$39.25 million
Overall value: US$157 million

The contract to build two of Glasgow's Commonwealth Games venues is set to go to Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd.

A report recommending the appointment will go before Glasgow City council's executive committee today.

Sir Robert McAlpine is widely expected to scoop the UK£95 million contract to put up the National Indoor Sports Arena (NISA) and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome ahead of BAM Construction and Bovis Lend Lease.

The twin projects in the east end will form the showpiece facility that will host events at the 2014 Games.

The total bill will be around UK£116million once the interiors have been fitted.

Ralph Schuermann, designer of the 2008 Olympic Games velodrome in Beijing, has designed Scotland's first indoor velodrome. Sir Robert McAlpine is currently building the London Olympic Stadium and has previously built major venues including Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

The NISA and velodrome will cover a 10.5 hectare site close to Celtic Park and the athletes' village. The indoor arena will have 5000 spectator seats, while the velodrome will have 2000 seated and 500 standing spectators viewing a 250-metre cycle track.

The facility will be a national training centre for athletics, basketball, netball, track cycling and volleyball.

Sportscotland's new HQ will be next to the NISA and velodrome.

Several national sports federations and Culture and Sport Glasgow's sports development unit will be based there. Other features include a community sports centre.

Council leader Steven Purcell said: "These twin projects will be world-class venues able to attract sporting competitions of the highest standard to Glasgow, as well as providing a fantastic community facility."

Construction will begin this year and is due for completion in 2012.

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