Sisk has been appointed the contract for the new Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC). The New Stadium is a joint venture between the IRFU and the FAI with the Government providing €191 million towards the cost.

Work on the construction of the new stadium began in May of this year with the awarding of both the demolition and sub structure contracts. Demolition of the old stadium was completed over the August bank holiday weekend with the demolition of the old West Stand.

Work on the sub structure commenced in tandem with the demolition programme.

A key element in the new stadium, the construction of a podium over the DART line, was completed over the October bank holiday. Along with the construction of the podium a major new underpass under the railway line was also completed over that weekend.

Currently the sub structure programme is well advanced. This has included the construction of a basement under the East Stand and work on a new underground car park under the back pitch.

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Sisk will have complete control over all of the various construction contracts in relation to the stadium including the structural steel, the cladding, the installation of the pitch etc. In order to meet the LRSDC deadline of matches being played in the new stadium in 2010 many of these contracts were initially awarded independently.

Mr Tom Costello, Sisk MD, said that the company was delighted to have won the contract given the fact that it has already been responsible for the construction of Croke Park: "We believe we have a unique insight into what is required in the construction of a major sporting venue such as this. We fully realise that Lansdowne is quite a different stadium than Croke Park but many of the challenges are the same. We are really excited to have the opportunity to deliver what is another essential piece of Ireland’s sporting infrastructure."

Speaking on behalf of LRSDC Mr Philip Browne, chairman of the company, said that he was delighted with the progress on the stadium to date: "The work continues to be on schedule and that is essential. I think everyone connected with sport in Ireland admires Croke Park. It really is a fantastic stadium and I think everyone acknowledges that Sisk did a wonderful job there. We are looking forward to having them on board and to seeing the new stadium rise out of the ground."

On completion the new stadium at Lansdowne Road will have an all seated capacity of 50,000. The new stadium will consist of a continuous curvilinear shaped stand enclosing all four sides of the ground. The South, East and West Stands will have four tiers of seating for spectators. The second tier will provide facilities for premium ticket holders while the third tier will provide facilities for corporate boxes. The North Stand will comprise of one low level seating tier to reflect its proximity to the residential properties at that end of the ground.

(GK/JM)