SCOPE OF WORK

Byrne Bros have been awarded contracts for construction of the substructure works and cores for the new covered O2 Arena within the existing stressed cable net tented structure of the Millennium Dome, with a clear span of some 200m, to accommodate event and exhibition structures up to 40m high.

Building within the Dome brings the advantage that it is fully connected to the national grid, water supply and sewerage systems. It also avoids the need to seek planning permission.

The O2 Arena has a flexible design which allow wide variety of sports and entertainment events to be catered for, such as: ice-hockey, Olympic gymnastics, concerts and exhibitions. The acoustically sealed arena will have a maximum capacity of 22,000 and will also operate as a fully flexible exhibition space capable of hosting events for a minimum of 7,500 people, up to large-scale conventions.

The O2 Arena will be converted into multi-purpose sport and entertainment arena before the London 2012 Olympics, where it will host Basketball and Gymnastics. It will continue to host major events after the Closing Ceremony.