The FA Cup Final is likely to play “another away game” at Cardiff’s Millennium Dome in 2007.
Yesterday, Multiplex said a detailed analysis of the Wembley Stadium’s programme found the venue is unlikely to hold a test event for 90,000 spectators before June 2007 – another 12 months behind schedule.
The latest delay means that England’s friendly international in August and two Euro 2008 qualifiers scheduled for in September and October will have to be moved elsewhere.
Multiplex said the stadium works are now substantially complete, despite Wembley National Stadium Limited’s chief executive Michael Cunnah saying 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 added.
Multiplex’s assistant company secretary Alan Shedden said the latest delay was due to the recent insolvency of the stadium seat subcontractor, which has caused unforeseen delays to the completion of the installation of the seats. However, the he added alternative seat supply arrangements are now in place, and that the final seats will now be installed by early September 2006.
“As noted in previous progress updates, there are a number of critical works and activities that are the responsibility of the client (WNSL), and the timing of the completion of these works is under the control of the Client. WNSL has not yet begun some of these Client Works and others which WNSL has begun are not complete,” he added.
Multiplex said it is WNSL responsibility to obtain approvals from various Authorities in order to ensure the stadium is fully operational for events.
“Unless and until WNSL hold and successfully complete this series of test events, and obtain the required approvals, Multiplex will be prevented from achieving practical completion,” Shedden said.
Meanwhile, Cunnah said the contract with Multiplex has two critical future milestones, which Multiplex have deliberately confused.
"We have always sought to give a realistic appraisal of progress on site and following Multiplex’s statement to its shareholders it is important that we clear up some issues.
‘Multiplex is required to hand WNSL a completed stadium which is defined in the contract as ‘Practical Completion’. WNSL then has to work with Multiplex to finish certain works and to hold the various test events which will enable the safety certificate to be obtained and achieve ‘Operational Completion’, the point at which a fully-functioning stadium is delivered, capable of holding full-capacity events for 90,000 people,” he added.
Cunnah said the latest date Multiplex had stated for PC was September.
“Although we note that their latest statement does not actually give a new date or confirm the previous September date. Multiplex claim that they are substantially complete, however, we note again that 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, or to hand over any of the c.3,400 spaces in the stadium for snagging.
“In the absence of a detailed programme of work from the contractor that we can rely on, we estimate that Multiplex will finish their work at some point late this year. When Multiplex do hand us the completed stadium, we have a detailed timetable of our works and test events which subject to co-operation from the contractor, should enable ‘Operational Completion’ to take place within two to three months of handover,” Cunnah said.
“We are still not in a position to name an opening event or rule any event in or out as we need Multiplex to make more progress on site. The bottom line for us is that we will be ready two to three months after they give us a finished stadium. If they can achieve that this year, then we will be able to open the stadium in early 2007. We hope that Multiplex will now devote all their energies to completing the stadium at the earliest opportunity as is their responsibility.” Cunnah said.
Yesterday, Shedden said the group has advised WNSL of its entitlement to extensions of time to October 2007 and of its intention to pursue legal proceedings against WNSL’s acts and omissions which are preventing Multiplex’s ability to achieve practical completion.
“Delays in the client works give rise to entitlements in favour of Multiplex for extensions of time and financial entitlements,” Shedden concluded.
By Nelson Yap
