ABM Design and Build Ltd were delighted to attend the official launch of the new Third Stand at Tallaght Stadium yesterday, Sunday the 24th of March 2019 which took place at the inaugural game of the Republic of Ireland U21 team under the new management of Stephen Kenny playing Luxembourg. Topped off with a winning result for the Irish Team, South Dublin County Council was delighted to officially cut the ribbon for the opening of the Third Stand at this event yesterday.
The new Stand will enable the stadium to have an increased capacity of over 2,000, which will see the home of Shamrock Rovers expand from its current capacity of 6,000 to ultimately house over 8,000 spectators. Since Tallaght Stadium was opened back in 2009 initially with a single Main Stand on the Western side of the pitch it has been a long term plan to have a capacity of 10,000 seats and have a stand on all four sides of the pitch. In addition it is an operational objective to meet the requirements of UEFA Category 4 criteria so Shamrock Rovers can host Champions League games.
The concept design for the Third Stand was developed by a design team engaged by South Dublin County Council to this end. ABM Design and Build Ltd were contracted to deliver the project within a 9 month period from February 2018 to October 2018. ABM assembled an expert team of architects, engineers and construction workers to successfully complete this project. A project programme was prepared using Microsoft Project to illustrate the critical path. The critical elements included design, sub-structures, manufacturing of precast superstructure, installation of roof and follow-on finishes in the stand comprising lighting, tiered seating and railings. The single most important element of the project was the installation of the entire precast concrete structural frame over a 6 week period. ABM employed time-lapse camera recordings to monitor the progress of the installation of the precast frame on a daily basis. This provided ABM detailed minute by minute detailed records of the installation rate and was a key tool to check delivery was on time and to establish milestone completions and sequential planning of the follow on works. ABM delivered the overall project on time and within budget.
Tallaght Stadium has plans to proceed with a potential fourth stand on the North side of the pitch to eventually achieve the target capacity of 10,000 seats.
