Gulf Construction Online - Olympics specialist wins Qatar contract

Regional News

Sports city ... A perspective of the proposed upgrades to the Khalifa Stadium.

Olympics specialist wins Qatar contract

01 August 2002

Australian consultant GHD has won the project management contract for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

The scope of the contract will include a variety of planning, feasibility and consulting tasks embracing all aspects of the 2006 Games.

GHD, which has a long track record in management, engineering and environmental projects, was instrumental in organising the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The award was announced by the Qatar National Olympic Committee (QNOC) and the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC), which is in charge of the works programme.

The project is divided into two stages with the first phase focusing on the development of the master plan on behalf of the DAGOC. This will include planning and delivery of the sporting venues, security, transport, accommodation and the opening and closing ceremonies.

The master plan is due for submission to the Olympic Council of Asia in January 2003 after which GHD will proceed with phase two, including detailed planning and implementation.

Last month, the Central Tenders Committee announced the award of the first construction contract for the games to the local Al Huda Engineering Works. The estimated QR11 million ($3 million) contract covers the site preparation for the Khalifa stadium upgrade, sports academy and associated facilities. The Khalifa stadium complex is to be renovated into a state-of-the-art sports city at a cost of $100 million.

A team comprising the local Cico Consulting Architects Engineers and France's Tallibert is consultant for the sports academy and sports hall elements.

The Games organisers are putting together an extensive programme of new projects and renovation of existing facilities which are expected to include:

Complete renovation and expansion of the Khalifa stadium complex;

A new Olympic Village to accommodate 10,000 athletes;

Public transport projects and accommodation for the estimated 20,000 participants, officials and visitors;

Upgrading all nine existing stadiums including the Ittihad and Rayyan clubs;

A new 36-lane bowling alley complex, new shooting range, horse-racing track and stables;

Renovation of the tennis stadium; and

Numerous requirements for sports facilities infrastructure such as electronic scoreboards, seating, sports equipment, flooring and lighting.