Scottish company nets Basketball Arena contract

09 Jul 2009

A company based in Glasgow has been awarded the contract to build the main structure of the London 2012 Basketball Arena.

Render of Basketball Arena

The Basketball Arena will be the third largest venue in the Olympic Park

It means a total of 30 Scottish companies have now won London 2012 contracts. Fifteen of these businesses won contracts directly with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and a further 15 won Games-related work through the supply chain.

Barr Construction has been appointed to build the main structure. The ODA is awarding separate contracts for other elements of the venue’s construction, such as the mechanical and electrical work, seating and foundations.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: ‘We want to work with the best of British businesses to deliver the venues, and with companies of all sizes. The Basketball Arena is a significant venue for us as it will be the third largest venue on the Park, and will be the largest temporary structure ever built for an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

‘I’m delighted that another contract has been awarded to a Scottish company, demonstrating that the Games are benefiting the whole nation.’

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: ‘This contract is yet another excellent example of how the benefits of the Games are spreading way beyond London. Just as Scottish athletes like Chris Hoy are a key part of Team GB, Scottish businesses like Barr Construction are playing a key role in building the Olympic Park.’

During the Olympic Games the temporary Arena will have 12,000 seats for the Basketball preliminaries and quarter-finals, as well as the Handball semi-finals and finals. During the Paralympic Games it will have a capacity of 10,000 seats for Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby. It will also house the athletes before they make their way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

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