Stadium builders get second chance

The Invercargill construction company that built the original Southland Stadium will build its replacement after winning the construction tender with the lowest bid of $11.8 million.

Aware that the decision is set to surprise, the stadium trust is adamant robust and rigorous engineering systems, not used during the original construction a decade ago, will prevent a repeat occurrence of the roof collapse affecting the new indoor sports complex in Invercargill.

Southland Indoor Leisure Centre Charitable Trust Chairman Acton Smith confirmed Amalgamated Builders Ltd (ABL) had won the tender because insurance company NZI's policy was to accept the lowest tender price. (There was just 4% difference between the four tenders, with ABL's below the trust's budgeted price of $13 million).

Work is expected to start almost immediately on stage one, replacing the covered courts brought down during the September snowstorm, but not the foyer area.

Smith was comfortable with the appointment of ABL, pointing to far greater scrutiny going in to the pre-construction process and the rigorous and detailed checks to be carried out at every stage of construction, stating "there is some rigorous testing.

"We can't afford to have another slip up. We can't afford to go there again.The public needs to know it's not going to happen again. I'm not putting my name anywhere near it if it's not going to stand the test of time."

Smith added that while the construction price was important, the biggest focus was to ensure quality assurances were obtained at every step.

ABL has recently been involved in building the new Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Steelwork for the new venue will be carried out by Christchurch firm Pegasus Industrial Engineering, which has also done similar work on a larger scale on the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

An independent quantity surveyor, Southern QA, will monitor every step of that process - from monitoring work in Pegasus' Hornby workshop, to checking the welding and bolt quality, and then being on site to confirm it was joined correctly.

Construction of the building is expected to be finished by 30th November, ahead of the fitout of wooden courts, retractable seats, audio and lighting systems, and curtains.

Tenders for courts and seating are expected to be released shortly.