Multiplex’s Wembley Stadium project might have to go into more extra time with the group yet to kick enough goals to close out the long running project.
Yesterday, Wembley National Stadium Ltd chief executive Michael Cunnah said that project is unlikely to be ready for testing and commissioning until later in the year.
“Wembley National Stadium Ltd’s objective is to create a truly world class stadium of the highest standards of quality and safety. Because of their extensive experience in stadium construction outside the UK, Multiplex was appointed to design and build that stadium to a fixed cost. It is Multiplex’s responsibility to deliver the stadium and it is WNSL’s responsibility to ensure that they do.
“Unfortunately Multiplex has missed its original timetable of 30th January, 2006 as well as its own revised timetable of 31st March, 2006,” he added.
Cunnah said currently Multiplex states that it will complete the stadium by September 2006.
“It is WNSL’s view that, at the current rate of progress, particularly in light of the extensive testing and commissioning regime that will be required, this is not likely to be achieved until later in the year.
“Whilst the stadium is well on the way to being finished and looks magnificent from the outside, Multiplex still has major items to complete,” he added.
According to WNSL, the goal posts at Wembley Stadium were installed last Friday July 28.
“For example Multiplex has yet to finish the stadium’s roof, the extensive remedial works to the stadium’s drainage network, the building management and life safety systems and the installation of approximately 10,000 of the stadium’s 90,000 seats. It has always been our view that the stadium’s delays are Multiplex’s responsibility,” Cunnah said.
“Notwithstanding this, WNSL is geared up for opening the new stadium. We have recruited a team of over 6,200 people and the next step for them is to begin the final stages of training inside the stadium itself. We can only begin this final stage when Multiplex has sufficiently finished its works.
“At that point we will be able to enter the stadium to start the handover process, begin our final training and carry out limited works which include the installation of radio communications systems, mobile cash machines and national flags. These items will be completed at the same time as we prepare for the test events which will precede our first full capacity event,” Cunnah concluded.
Earlier last month, Multiplex warned that $1.12 billion Wembley Stadium project could be facing further delays.
“Multiplex remains confident that substantial completion will be achieved in July 2006 sufficient to enable us to achieve practical completion of our works at the end of September 2006,” Multiplex said.
The group added that in order to achieve practical completion of Wembley Stadium certain works which are the responsibility of WNSL.
“WNSL has not begun some of these works. Furthermore, once Practical Completion has been achieved, it is the responsibility of WNSL to carry out a series of critical works and activities in order to make the stadium operational for events.
“The timing and hosting of the first event is therefore entirely a matter for WNSL,” Multiplex said in statement.
By Nelson Yap
