Tarmac Precast gets 'best seats in the house' at capital of culture arena
Custom-designed concrete from Tarmac Precast is being used to construct a new 10,600-capacity arena that will form an integral part of the Kings Waterfront development in Liverpool - the centrepiece for the city's Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.
The new complex, which will include the main arena and a convention centre, is a major step for project partners English Partnerships, Liverpool Vision, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Liverpool City Council in transforming the city into a national and international destination.
Tarmac Precast, the UK's leading suppliers of precast concrete, has manufactured and delivered around 3,000 custom-made units including terracing units, step blocks, vomitary walls and stair flights to the development in a contract with Bolton-based steel contractor Watson Steel valued at around 1.6million pounds.
The arena, which will eventually accommodate events from concerts to children's entertainment, as well as sporting events, is one part of a larger mixed-use development designed to attract future economic development to the city.
Working closely with Watson Steel, Tarmac Precast's specialist site team was able to ensure that Watson's steelwork construction progressed in parallel with the delivery and erection of the precast concrete units.
Alex Harper, contract director at Watson Steel said; "Having previously worked with Tarmac Precast on the Emirates stadium for Arsenal Football Club, we were aware of their proven track record of delivering within timescales. Their experience of supplying precast units to a number of prestigious stadia projects counts for a lot."
Commenting on the project, Phil Cope, project manager at Tarmac Precast adde:: "Our site team was able to meet tight project timescales and co-ordinate site deliveries by manufacturing a high percentage of precast units at our Henlade site, which is near to the development area. We also produced the double concrete tees with a thicker top table of steel flat finish, to ensure the units arrived on site with a completed finished surface ready for installation. "
By completing the upper terrace first followed by the lower terrace, Tarmac Precast was able to overcome the challenge posed by site access. Site teams also successfully combined a front wall with the first terrace to create a 19 tonne precast unit onsite.
The Kings waterfront development is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007 in preparation for the Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008.
For more information on Tarmac Precast visit www.tarmac.co.uk/precast or call the brochure request line on 08456 044 114, quoting code PR001.
