In a further significant boost for the Green Point Stadium, the R430-million contract for the high-tech roof has been awarded to an international joint venture company, which will sub-contract to the main building contractor, Murray & Roberts/WBHO.

American company Birdair and German company Pfeifer combined forces to bid for the contract. “It’s a big tender and it’s a significant construction milestone for the stadium,” said the City of Cape Town’s 2010 director Teral Cullen.

Members of the City’s 2010 project and professional team visited Germany to assess manufacturing capabilities and inspect similar stadium roofs, as well as negotiate with the contract bidders. The roof is a key design feature of the new stadium, and has also been designed in terms of FIFA guidelines and in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Record of Decision.

One of the main features is that the shape and materials used to construct the roof will lead to a reduction in the noise level of the stadium by about six decibels compared to the previous Green Point Stadium. Noise levels, and the height of the stadium were among the main concerns expressed by local residents and cited in the Environmental Record of Decision.

The roof, which will have a double parabolic shape, will not protrude above the supporting columns, reducing the overall height of the stadium. It will also incorporate flood lighting for the pitch, thereby avoiding the need for tall and unsightly floodlighting masts.

The roof will be made of a translucent glass surface and a lower fabric covering, which is key to noise reduction. The high-tech roof has been described as a large flat bicycle wheel within a rim resting on 72 raking columns, and the hub in tension. Together with the pokes, this will create a stable structure. In terms of the contract, the roof will be installed by September 2009.

FIFA is expected to inspect the stadium in October 2009, and the scheduled completion date for the new stadium is December 2009. The construction programme for the stadium is on track.