In late-November 2010, South Australian-based commercial and industrial building company Built Environs achieved on-time practical completion of the western grandstand of the Adelaide Oval for the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) – well in time for The Ashes.

The project required the sensitive demolition of the existing structures (retaining the historic brick arches) and the construction of a new 14,000 capacity grandstand and facilities, including a 500-seat dining room, four bars, administration areas, media facilities and state-of-the-art player facilities.

At its peak, there were more than 320 people, from over 60 trade contractors, employed on the project.

From the outside, the most prominent feature of the grandstand is the shell-like roof structure. Each section required around four weeks to complete, requiring craning and fixing of the 35 tonne 30 metre long trusses, placing of the roof segments, tensioning of the structure, placement of the purlins and cladding.

Comprehensive safety measures were in use throughout every stage of construction.

“This has been a fantastic achievement by the entire design and construction team,” says Built Environs Managing Director Jim Frith. “The level of planning and organisation that’s gone into delivering the Western Grandstand on time for The Ashes – and all while the Oval has continued to function as a public facility – is very impressive.”

Built Environs was also the managing contractor for the development of the eastern side of the Oval and the construction of the Chappell Stands back in 2003.

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