News: Steelwork signifies stadium progress

Rotherham United's new community stadium is starting to take shape as contractors erect the steelwork on the site close to Rotherham town centre.

Main contractors GMI Construction has appointed Leeds-based Elland Steel Structures Ltd to supply around 1,000 tons of steel for the iconic £17.3m stadium and work is well underway on the new Main Stand.

The steel framework provides visible evidence of the progress on the site of the former Guest & Chrimes foundry with previous work being done to raise the level of the land by around two metres.

Tony Stewart, chairman of Rotherham United, was delighted with the progress. He said: "I think it's a big day for Rotherham. A lot of time and effort has been put into this, including three years of planning, and to see the first stage of structure today, it's brilliant.

"People will be proud, not only to see the progress for the football club, but for the regeneration of this part of Rotherham."

Andy Kemp, director at GMI Construction, added: "We are in the second week of erecting the steel and this will continue until January when the next phase will take over, but by the end of the year the stadium will be very much visible.

"All the sub-contractors are lined up and we are on programme. Next week a second team will come on the site and the south stand will start. Hopefully we'll be able to get the roof on in early January or February."

GMI Construction is hopeful that the stadium will be complete for the start of the 2012/2013 season and they released some new computer generated images showing how the completed stadium will look.

Tony Stewart added: "The planners are saying that July 11th is the date we will be ready to go in, and kick-off."

The Rotherham United new stadium team includes main contractor, GMI Construction; project manager Gleeds; planning consultants, Signet Planning and architects, S&P Architects.

Rotherham United website
GMI Construction website

Images: GMI Construction