Al Rayyan Stadium, the proposed host venue through to the quarter-finals for the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar, achieved a major milestone today as the first concrete was poured at the location of the stadium’s West stand five weeks ahead of schedule.

The main contractor for Al Rayyan Stadium is a joint venture between Qatar-based Al-Balagh Trading & Contracting Company and Indian construction company Larsen & Toubro.

The concrete pouring signifies the commencement of a new phase in the construction of the stadium of one of Qatar’s most popular sports clubs, after starting the foundation excavation, said a statement from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).

Youssif Al Musleh, the competition venues deputy executive director at the technical delivery office of the SC, highlighted the importance of reaching this milestone at Al Rayyan Stadium.

"We are pleased with the progress being made today on the site of Al Rayyan Stadium, which will be the home of Al Rayyan Sports Club, with one of the biggest fan bases in Qatar. Following the recent completion of the training sites for the team, the concrete pouring today is another significant step forward towards the completion of the stadium by 2019," he stated.

Over 100,000 cu m of concrete and 6,700 tonnes of structural steel will be used during this phase of the project.

The area surrounding the stadium has also seen major progress in recent weeks with the completion of excavation for the metro by Qatar Rail, said Al Musleh.

Works on the road connecting the stadium with the nearby mall and other services surrounding the precinct are also nearing completion, he stated.

According to him, the 40,000-seat venue will be reduced to 21,000 seats after the tournament for legacy use. The top tier will be dismantled and donated to developing football nations, he added.  

SC said approximately 1.75 million man-hours without lost time incidents (LTI) have been completed on site.  

Al Musleh pointed out that Al Rayyan’s sporting heritage and Qatar’s environment was reflected in the design of the stadium.

Its façade will feature a multitude of local patterns and designs, which draw on Qatari culture. Featuring an innovative exterior design, it also aims to create a sense of place unique to Al Rayyan in particular, and more generally to the culture of Qatar and the Middle East.

Most of the hospitality and service areas will be located outside the stadium in dune-like structures, which resemble the sand dunes that surround desert tents.

According to him, sustainability is at the heart of the design, beginning with the deconstruction of the old stadium, with 90 per cent of the materials resulting from the deconstruction being re-used.

Some of the materials will be used by local and international artists to create works of public art which reflect the history of Al Rayyan Sports Club, stated Al Musleh.

The local community was consulted about the design and legacy of this project with the SC making eight majlis visits in the area. The venue will serve in legacy as a hub for the local community, with the area surrounding the stadium including retail, and aquatics centre, walkways and a wedding hall, he added.-TradeArabia News Service