14th Jul 2022
S&C Slatter are delighted to announce that handover of the Alexander Stadium’s new world-class athletics facilities was successfully completed in May this year.
Working in exclusive partnership with world-leading track manufacturers Beynon Sports, S&C Slatter delivered a full design and build package for the state-of-the-art athletics facilities under McLaughlin & Harvey’s comprehensive Alexander Stadium redevelopment.
As part of the major redevelopment at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, S&C Slatter have designed and constructed a complete package of world-class athletics track and field facilities. Boasting two cutting-edge athletics tracks with natural grass infields, as well as an additional practice throws area, the facility has been independently tested and awarded a World Athletics Class 1 Athletics Facility Certificate.
So what exactly is a World Athletics Class 1 Athletics Facility? It’s a facility proven to deliver the standard required to host the highest levels of international competition, including the Olympics and World Athletics Championships. For our experienced team, it was no sweat. Between them they’ve delivered athletics tracks across the country, from community to elite level.
Steve Ayres, Contracts Manager, S&C Slatter, commented:
“This project presented an immovable deadline and demanded the highest standards, but with our expertise, scale doesn’t impact our ability. Strong communication, adaptability and experience is what ensured our programme was delivered to schedule. Others might find the extra scrutiny a challenge – but we produce the best we can, whether for a local school or the highest levels of competition.”
As the newest – and one of just 4 – of these certified facilities in the UK, the world’s best athletes put this accreditation to the test recently at the Wanda Diamond League. It proved to be an exciting first test event for the venue, with Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith seeing off Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson in a neck-and-neck 100m race. Fellow home favourites Laura Muir and Keely Hodgkinson also wowed the crowds with their respective 1500m and 800m wins.
Feedback from the athletes was fantastic, with six-time Paralympic Gold Medallist David Weir calling the track “amazing,”, Jamaica’s Omar McLeod saying: “It is a fast track for sure, I am already looking forward to coming back,” and Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradsaw stating: “I think it surpasses the Olympic Stadium in London.”
Selected by Birmingham City Council and Main Contractors McLaughlin & Harvey after a competitive tender process, S&C Slatter were responsible for the design and construction of the development’s substantial new athletics facilities. Partnering exclusively with North America’s leading track producer, Beynon Sports, the two new athletics tracks were constructed with Beynon’s World Athletics Certified BSS 1000 system, engineered for world-class venues as part of the company’s Elite Performance Series, and trusted by over 400 track & field venues across 7 countries.
An industry leader in North America, responsible for over 70% of the USA’s World Athletics Class 1 Certified Facilities, Beynon Sports have delivered over 7,500 installations at some of the most renowned venues across the globe over the last 40 years. The Alexander Stadium redevelopment will mark Beynon’s first major installation in Western Europe – and the first under their exclusive partnership with S&C Slatter – though as a Tarkett Sports Company, alongside our exclusive turf partners FieldTurf, our partnership is already six years strong. Together we have delivered major projects for clients such as Everton Football Club, Eton College and Europe’s first Major League Baseball event, MLB’s London Series 2019.
Jason Douglass, S&C Slatter Group Director, commented:
“We were delighted to work with Beynon Sports on this truly exciting project, producing world-class athletics facilities as part of the Alexander Stadium redevelopment.
With a proven history of delivering sports facilities for the very highest levels of global performance, as well as for community use, we’re thrilled to have provided an outstanding facility for the City of Birmingham and elite athletes across the nation.”
The project benefitted from the in-house expertise across The Slatter Group, with S&C Slatter’s dedicated design team delivering the vision for athletics complex and our construction experts building the two world-class athletics tracks and jumps. Our sister company White Horse Contractors brought their land drainage and natural turf expertise to the project, working with us to construct the Sport England Type 7 natural turf stadium infield, as well as two Sport England Type 5 natural turf fields for the warm up track and throws area to complete the exceptional new facility.
Work commenced in late 2020 and, despite the substantial challenges faced during the project, including: the global pandemic, materials shortages, shipping delays – and even the ‘great’ British weather! – the project was completed on time and officially handed over in early May.
We were thrilled to deliver such an exciting and innovative project as part of the exceptional Alexander Stadium redevelopment, working with Beynon Sports to deliver the UK’s superior new athletics facility in Birmingham.
Whether delivering large-scale projects to tight time frames for elite competition, or small refurbishments for community use, we pride ourselves on delivering first-class sports facilities for top performance, maximum use and longevity, with the certifications and success rate to prove it.
With in-house expertise across design, planning, construction and maintenance, get in touch now to discuss your needs. Call 01635 34521 or email info@sandcslatter.com
