RMD (New Zealand) has won the falsework design, supply and erection contract for one of the largest construction projects currently underway in New Zealand – the building of the new NZ$43.9 million West Stand at the Jade Stadium sports ground – originally known as Lancaster Park - in Christchurch. The company started work on site in February and is expected to finish by March of 2002.

The project will see the Park's capacity increase from 32,000 to 35,500 and the provision of an additional 24,500 seats. Much of this will be in the new West Stand, which adjoins the existing Hadlee Stand and the recently completed DB Draught Stand that has seating for 6,750. The stand will accommodate 34 new corporate suites, 1,000 Lancaster Reserve seats and 1,500 Victory Park seats, in addition to 14,000 public seats. The two new stands will be linked by a first floor concourse that will eventually provide circulation to the whole ground.

The precast concrete construction West stand is being built by building and civil engineering contractors, Fletcher Construction and Charles S Luney Limited. It curves in a wide arc around the stadium's oval playing field and, when completed, will be 190 metres long and 29 metres high with four levels.

This is calling for the use of a number of RMD systems, including the Rapidshor falsework system, the Strongshor heavy-duty shoring system, Super Slim Soldiers – the backbone of the RMD range – Alform beams and Rapid Scaffold access scaffolding. However, the complexity of the design also made very effective use of RMD's recently commissioned global AutoCAD capability. This enabled the Auckland design team to work alongside Adelaide-based colleagues from RMD (Australia) when devising and proving the solutions. Indeed, the sophistication of the CAD system is such that it also empowered both teams to tap in to the extensive knowledge and experience base of RMD colleagues throughout the world.

Strongshor, Rapidshor and Super Slim Soldier falsework is, in some instances, supporting precast units that weigh up to 46 tonnes. The contract also requires the construction of a large birdcage structure to support the stadium's roof and extensive exterior scaffolding work. Such is the demand for RMD systems on this job that components are also being supplied from the company's Wellington and Auckland depots.

The project is one of a number of recent successes for RMD (New Zealand). Other recent business gains include the Kowhai road bridge, part of the State Highway 1, Albany to Puhoi realignment project.

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