The finishing touches are being put to the massive Soccer City Stadium, with completion expected by February 2010.

AS 2009 draws to an end, construction of one of the biggest stadiums in the world is almost complete, with only touch ups being done at Soccer City Stadium near the township of Soweto.

Laying the grass for the pitch

"The inside is complete and what remains is laying the pitch grass. On the outside we are busy paving and all the turnstiles have been erected. Round about March next year, Grinaker/LTA, the principal contractor, must be finished and the new management of the stadium must take over," he said.

As the media entourage entered the facility from the east side, a big ramp could be seen winding its way into the upper tiers, some workers were perched precariously on the roof, busy cleaning the facade.

"The ramps will be used by paraplegics to access different suites and floors. This is the easiest access for the paraplegics. The ramps will also be used by able bodied people to avoid congestion," said Mong.

The eastern entrance takes people through to what Mong called the lower concourse. Through it, spectators would come into the lower embankment.

"Looking up from the lower concourse, people will encounter lower suites and further up, you meet the upper suites and then the upper concourse. Currently, the suites are empty and owners will decide how they want to design the inside come 2010."

Grass
Down on the pitch, workers were busy laying instant lawn blocks around the edges of the pitch. Mong said the new grass was being laid for a reason. The pitch grass was laid about two months ago but it was noticed that the pitch was uneven and sloping on the sides.

Inspecting each and every seat

On the lower concourse, more workers could be seen, inspecting each and every seat and seat row. Mong said Blue Cube, the company contracted to install the 88 000 seats in the giant stadium, were making sure all had been laid properly.

At the northern and western corners of the stadium, tunnels lead directly on to the pitch. Mong explained that they would be used by emergency people and the police. The one on the western side led to a youth centre and police holding cells, which could hold 40 people at a given time.

"Then there is the tunnel in the centre of the western stands. This one will be used by players to access the pitch. This tunnel is constructed to resemble a mine shaft. Just on top of [it] where the black chairs are located, is where the VIPs and the media will be seated. This is where the podium is where the winning team will receive their trophy. "

The sound system had been tested and was in perfect working order. On the night of 8 December, the lights were also tested, and were in order.

Once completed, by the end of February 2010, Soccer City would have consumed 80 000m³ of concrete; 9 000 tonnes of reinforced steel would have been placed; and 8 000 tonnes of structural steel would have been erected.

The facade, built to resemble an African calabash, is made of fibre reinforced concrete panels in eight colours and two textures. The calabash is punctured by open or glazed panels that form a pattern on the facade. The upper roof, which is cantilevered from a huge triangular spatial ring truss, is covered by a PTFE membrane in a colour similar to that of mine dump sand.

The stadium is directly north of the proposed new Nasrec Transport Hub and the pedestrian mall, linking the stadium to the redeveloped Expo Centre to the south. The transport hub will accommodate taxi, bus and rapid transit services. A secondary Rea Vaya station is proposed for the Soweto Highway to the north of the stadium.

"The area outside the stadium will accommodate parking for 8 000 cars," said Mong.

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