The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) announced today the award of the Main Contractor (MC) for Al Wakrah Stadium to MIDMAC in a joint venture with PORR QATAR.

Located approximately 15 kilometres south of Doha, the 40,000-seater stadium was designed taking the dhow boats that carried Qatari fishermen and pearl divers as inspiration. It will host matches up the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

The contract with the MC was signed today at Al Bidda tower in a ceremony attended by: Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC); Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman of the Technical Delivery Office, SC; Yasir Al Jamal, Vice Chairman of the Technical Delivery Office, SC; Ghanim Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Competition Venues, SC; Faisal Al Kaabi, Executive Director of Programme Services, SC; Youssif Al Musleh, Deputy Executive Director of Competition Venues, SC; Othman Zarzour, Deputy Executive Director of Competition Venues, SC; and Thani Al Zarraa, Project Manager Al Wakrah Stadium. The MC was represented by Raghib Kublawi, General Manager of MIDMAC, and Marc Krouse, Financial Managing Director of PORR QATAR.

With the completion of the enabling works phase, the start of vertical construction of the superstructure - including construction of the stands - will commence before the end of the year. The stadium is set for completion by the end of 2018.

Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), said: "We have achieved an important milestone today with the award of the main contractor for Al Wakrah Stadium. This has been accomplished following our continuous consultation with the Al Wakrah community since the start of construction. By listening to the community we ensure the stadium and surrounding precinct will leave a valuable social legacy in Al Wakrah. Our legacy concept is also strengthened by appointing a Qatari company in a joint venture to contribute to the economic legacy of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar."

Meanwhile, Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman of the Technical Delivery Office, SC, said: "We are pleased with the pace of construction, which is showing on site with the pitch level beginning to take on shape and vertical construction set to begin. Now that the enabling works contractor has finalised demobilisation from the site, everything is ready for the main contractor to step in."

HE Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdallah Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of MIDMAC Contracting, expressed his gratitude to the SC for the trust and confidence placed in MIDMAC and its joint venture partners to build Al Wakrah Stadium.

Raghib Kublawi, General Manager of MIDMAC, said: "Awarding this project to MIDMAC and its joint venture partners is a great honour and privilege for MIDMAC as a Qatari company. It allows us to participate in the successful delivery of one of the most challenging undertakings Qatar has had so far, by hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

MIDMAC and its joint venture partner are also developing the Khalifa International Stadium at Aspire Zone, proposed host venue for group stage, round of 16 and quarter-final matches.

Thomas Stiegler, Managing Director of PORR Qatar Construction, added that they would work closely with MIDMAC to deliver Al Wakrah Stadium within the contract period of 34 months. He said: "PORR is very proud of this undertaking and looks forward to productive years of working together with the SC and to share its success."

During the enabling works phase, approximately 460.000 cubic metres (m3) were excavated, around 25,000 m3 of concrete at foundation poured and more than 2,800 metres of pipes installed.

Preparations are currently underway to build the superstructure following completion of the enabling works which entailed the laying of the stadium foundation, piling, drainage and site wide bulk earthworks. Works are also underway at the precinct to build the primary substation for the stadium, in order to secure the timely availability of the power supply prior to completion of main construction works at the site.

Over 800 construction workers have worked at the site in the last year, and safety and workers welfare are a top priority on site with more than 2.5 million man hours put in without any lost time through accidents.

During this time the main earthworks and concrete sub-structure have been completed, including 84 concrete piles of 1.2 meter diameter and 19 meter depth, as well the removal of the external high tension lines.

The 40,000-seat stadium, future home of Al Wakrah Sports Club, will be surrounded by approximately 560,000 square metres (m2) of legacy precinct, including a new sports centre and community hub. The precinct will feature a range of community facilities, such as a park, mosque, school, hotel, wedding hall, vocational training centre and retail outlets.

A recent visit by the SC's Community Engagement team also heard the feedback of the local Al Wakrah community as the stadium build continues. The stadium will be reduced in legacy mode to 20,000 seats, with the upper tiers sent to developing countries in need of sporting infrastructure.