Loftus Versfeld Stadium refurbishment

SPECIAL REPORT: LOFTUS VERSFELD STADIUM

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AN AIR OF DISTINCTION LOFTUS SPECTATORS WITNESSED ANOTHER BAFANA BAFANA GAME

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By Bev Hermanson

There’s nothing quite like the plush look and feel of exclusive packaging to elevate a brand to be a cut above the rest. The aura of luxury imparted by leathers, suedes, specially treated papers, heavy flocks and woven textiles can make an emphatic difference to the positioning of a brand in the marketplace.

By Stacey Rowan

It was in 1999 that spectators at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium witnessed Bafana Banfana, South Africa’s national team, play a soccer game against Sweden. As one of the venues that hosted matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Loftus Versveld gave its spectators the opportunity once again to witness Bafana Bafana play another game of soccer when they played against Uruguay at the stadium.

The Loftus Versfeld Stadium has a lot of character, it has history and it has a sense of place. Situated in Tshwane, Pretoria, the stadium is located within a very dense and urban fabric, making it part of the city. It is not isolated from the city as some of the other stadiums are, which makes it unique. “It is not just a stadium, but it is a buzz of activities.

It has a vibe,” says Bhavik Ranchod, architect and project manager, The Creative Axis Architects.

ONE OF THE OLDEST STADIUMS Loftus Versfeld Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in South Africa. This all-seater stadium has been used for major sporting events since 1903, including significant matches which were part of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 1996 CAF African Cup of Nations. Hosting countless rugby and soccer matches, this stadium is no stranger to these sports. Loftus Versfeld Stadium is the home ground of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club, one of South Africa’s premiere professional clubs, and Supersport United. It is also home to one of the country’s top rugby teams, the Blue Bulls.

The stadium’s first concrete structure, built by the City Council of Pretoria in 1923, could only accommodate two thousand spectators. Since 1948, Loftus Versfeld has undergone constant upgrades and renovations and its four main stands have been completely rebuilt.

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UPGRADING THE OLD TO MAKE IT NEW The most recent renovation at Loftus was the 2010 FIFA World Cup facelift. To qualify for selection as a South African 2010 host stadium and a venue for the World Cup, the stadium was upgraded to meet the stringent requirements specified by FIFA. “The stadium is owned by The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, whereby other stadiums are owned either by municipalities or the government. Being an old stadium, it required various upgrades in order to make the stadium FIFA complaint. Unlike other newly built stadiums, this project only involved an upgrade,” adds Ranchod.

The brief entailed an upgrade that included basic additions and a refurbishment. The floodlights were upgraded and a new roof over the eastern pavilion was built, which now houses a new set of flood lights, adding to the aesthetics of the stadium. Another

upgrade included the implementation of back-up power, through the use of generators. “During the matches, the stadium will run off generators, eliminating the risk of power failures,” says Ranchod.

The scoreboard, players’ change rooms and sound system were also upgraded to meet FIFA’s specifications and designated media areas were constructed in the lower level of the west stand. With an estimated seat capacity of 49 215 seats, the task of replacing each seat was challenging. “The newly placed bright blue seats, which are plastered everywhere, stand out,” says Ranchod. A new lift on the north-west corner of the stadium was added, together with the placement of a new ring of turnstiles that are located around the stadium. The IT systems were also upgraded which allowed for digital access control and the pitch was restored, among other minor upgrades that occurred.

In addition, a new walkway was built on the eastern side of the stadium, which allowed for more than

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AN AIR OF DISTINCTION

of the stadiums’ spectators to come through D 50% > XXXXXXXXXXX.

Keeping within the stadium’s surroundings was

the east side. This entrance was also designed to XXXXXXXXXXX double up as an essential access for emergency ve-

also a challenge that was faced, yet accomplished.

“We had to tie the stadium into what was already

hicles. The walkway was, and still is, seen as a

there, keep within the heritage of stadium and Bythe Bev Hermanson

means of knitting the precinct together with both

not allow our construction activities to disturb the

the transport and bus routes, as well as the jam-

outside area.” The stadium maintained interaction

defining the city.

used included the use of energy efficient products

There’s nothing quite like the plush look and feel of exclusive packaging to elevate a brand packed social area of Hatfield. With the walkway with the city, which was vital. tobeing be adesigned cut above the rest. park-like The aura of luxury imparted by leathers, suedes, specially around a classic approach, treated heavy flocks woven canthe make an emphatic to the upgrade, the projectdifference team maintained it made papers, the stadium upgrade, as aand whole, servetextiles as During a dynamic rendition to thein listthe of landmarks already eco-friendliness. Some of the eco-friendly methods positioning of a brand marketplace. for lighting and placement of eco-friendly flooring Other upgrades included the refurbishment of the

like bamboo finished floors and certain eco-friendly

board hall area, new toilet blocks were introduced

carpets. “We tried to make the stadium eco-friendly

and the VIP areas on the main pavilion were up-

where we could.”

graded. The key entrances as well as ablution facilities situated around the stadium were renovated, which gave the stadium a fresh new look.

A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT “The fully operational stadium can be considered a

THE STADIUM THAT NEVER SLEEPS

mixed-use development as it houses more than 300 offices, a conference venue, an auditorium, change

The Loftus Versfeld Stadium was different from

rooms for the players, many suites and skyboxes,”

most of the other 2010 FIFA stadiums as it was a

says Ranchod. According to the client’s brief and

working stadium, with matches that were played on

the Blue Bulls Management Agency, the stadium

an ongoing basis during the construction phase.

had to be of benefit to the owners as a future-use

“We faced enormous challenges in that we needed

development, after the 2010 World Cup.

to take health and safety into consideration, making sure that no spectators or players were hurt.

“The Loftus Versfeld Stadium proved to be a reward-

Even though Loftus Versfeld was a ‘living’ stadium

ing project upon completion. With the basic infra-

at the time of the construction period, no incidents

structure improved, it is now a FIFA-compliant stadium

occurred.

and we are proud to say that the FIFA affiliates are satisfied with the stadium,” concludes Ranchod. <

Having the smallest budget of all the 2010 stadiums was another challenge for the project team. “We did not have the freedom to do what we wished architecturally due to our limited budget and therefore we could not make an architectural statement,” explains Ranchod.

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