2009
Located in Durban, South Africa, the Moses Mabhida stadium has played host to many prestigious sporting and entertainment events. Named after Moses Mabhida, a former Secretary of the South African Communist Party, the stadium was one of the host stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has since hosted many cricket and football matches as well as the 2013 African Cup of Nations and is set to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. A variety of music and entertainment events have also utilized the venue since it’s opening in 2009.
The Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of several stadia purpose-built for the world’s biggest football tournament. Constructed on the grounds of the Kings Park Soccer Stadium, the new stadium will have a 70,000 spectator capacity during the World Cup, reducing to 54,000 as a multi-purpose venue once the tournament is over when a temporary third tier of seating will be removed. The three year build began back in 2006 and in June 2007 tenders were issued for the stadium’s ventilation contract. AMS, up against strong competition from other fan supply companies, won the tender and started working on site with ventilation contractor Improvair in May 2008. The successful relationship already established with Improvair through other projects such as the prestigious Johannesburg International Airport, plus a capacity for speed of delivery for a project which was obviously so time critical, were significant factors in AMS winning the business.
A mix of smoke ventilation and axial fans (with silencers) were supplied for ventilation of the car parks and the plant room, with centrigual fans from the Kruger range installed as part of the stadium’s air conditioning system.
A central feature of the Moses Mabhida Stadium is an arch, somewhat reminiscent of the UK’s Wembley stadium. Rising some 106 metres above the pitch, the arch starts with two legs, becoming a single leg on the other side of the stadium, symbolising the unification of what was a formerly divided country. Spectacular views of the city and the ocean can be gained from a viewing platform at the apex of the arch, reached via a funicular system which carries visitors from the north side of the stadium.
Contractor: AECOM
Equipment supplied: Smoke extract fans