Brady raises the roof

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 20th November 2013

The first step in the two-year plan to convert Stratford's Olympic Stadium into West Ham United's new home took place today.

Watched by the likes of club captain Kevin Nolan plus Londoners Joe Cole and Mark Noble*, contractors began the long and arduous task of removing 14 large floodlight panels - the first of which is expected to be detached later this week - in order to vacate sufficient space for the new roof, the installation of which will begin in Spring 2014.

"This marks a key milestone in the stunning, £200 million transformation of the Olympic Stadium - one that will culminate in an iconic new home for our Club," said Vice Chair Karren Brady.

"My team and I fought exceptionally hard on behalf of our supporters to ensure these modifications, which we knew were of paramount importance to our supporters, took effect.

"The roof is a truly phenomenal design that will enhance the iconic status of this sporting arena and help to lock in the world-famous atmosphere that our supporters create when we play at home.

"We're wholly committed to delivering a state-of-the-art home for West Ham United by 2016 that will honour the Olympic legacy pledge. Today represents another significant step toward that hugely exciting goal."

The new roof, which will cover all 54,000 spectator seats in the revamped stadium is expected to take a year to install. Twice the size of the existing roof and with a span of some 84 metres, its cost forms the brunt of the estimated £200million conversion.

Brady also revealed that as well as new hospitality areas which, it is hoped, will considerably raise the Club's annual turnover, fans can also expect a "bespoke" ticket office plus a new, on-site, Club shop.

Due to open temporarily in Summer 2015 in order to host the Rugby World Cup - of which the Olympic Stadium is one of 13 chosen venues across England and Wales - the arena closes again shortly after for another year to make the final changes in preparation for unveiling the stadium at West Ham's new home in 2016.

* Image courtesy of @whufc_official.

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