The main contractor for the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor in northern Qatar for the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup will begin construction of the site in September, with 2018 set as the completion date.

Enabling works on Al Bayt Precinct, including temporary onsite offices, hoarding, paving internal roads and ground levelling to enable construction work, are complete, said the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC).

Last month, a joint venture between  Italy’s Salini Impregilo Group and Galfar Al Misnad signed a QR3.11-billion ($850 million) contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium.

Other key players on the project include Dar Al Handasah, the design consultant, and Projacs, the project manager.

A new workers accommodation is also being built in the vicinity to house the expected increase in the number of workers on site.

The design and construction of the workers accommodation which will house 2,700 people will be undertaken by Al Khor & Dakira Schemes & Services.

Ghanim Al Kuwari, executive director of Competition Venues, said: “We are progressing well at Al Khor and this new workers accommodation under construction is the latest sign of that development.”

“The proposed design for the accommodation was reviewed by the Technical Delivery Office and the Workers Welfare Committee at the SC to ensure alignment with our standards. We are excited for the next stage of work on Al Bayt Stadium to begin. By appointing a local company, we also stand by our commitment to develop the private sector as we progress towards 2022,” he added.

Dr Nasser Al Hajri, project manager of Al Bayt Stadium at Aspire Zone Foundation, said that Al Bayt precinct will include retail areas, restaurants and “further opportunities for the local residents”.

Al Bayt Stadium also forms a vital part of the Qatar’s legacy ambitions. The design includes an upper tier of removable seats, which will be donated to other countries to foster football development after the tournament, when the stadium’s capacity will be reduced to 32,000.

Al Bayt is one of five stadiums currently under construction for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, the others being Al Rayyan Stadium, Al Wakrah Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium and Qatar Foundation Stadium. – TradeArabia News Service