Dubai Sports City appoints stadium contractor

Arabtec-Max Bögl has won an AED830 million (US $226.15 million) contract to build two stadia in Dubai Sports City.

The first facility, a 10,000-seat indoor arena, is scheduled for completion in April 2009. The second development, a 60,000-seat outdoor stadium, is set for completion towards the end of 2009.

"Dubai Sports City aims to partner with the world's most advanced designers and developers in the construction of this pioneering project, to ensure that we create a dedicated environment capable of playing host to spectacular sporting events," said Khalid Al Zarooni, president of Dubai Sports City.

"Arabtec-Max Bögl brings together a wealth of experience and vision that will ensure that our new stadia are recognised as representing the pinnacle of sporting architecture."

The new facilities are designed by gmp, an architectural practice that worked on the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Commerzbank Stadium in Frankfurt. The outdoor stadium has been designed with sports such as football, rugby, American football and athletics in mind, while the indoor arena will cater for sports such as ice hockey, basketball, tennis, and volleyball, as well as hosting concerts and public events.

Dubai Sports City is a multi-purpose development located within Dubailand, a series of themed leisure developments. In addition to the two new stadia, Dubai Sports City will include a cricket stadium, hockey stadium and residential buildings.