Warwickshire company helps deliver world’s first indoor-outdoor stadium
CUTTING edge technology developed by a Warwickshire firm is helping with the construction of the world’s first purpose-built, indoor/ outdoor 25,000 capacity stadium.
Meriden-based StadiArena won the £4m contract to work on the project in the Gujarat province of India because of the technology it has developed which converts an outdoor sports stadium into an indoor arena at the touch of a button.
Within just six minutes, a partition wall is activated and the first 16 rows of seats are retracted, creating a covered space which can be used for exhibitions, concerts, conferences, film screenings, indoor sports, receptions and numerous other uses.
The StadiArena system means that irrespective of the stadium’s core sport, it can generate income that isn’t linked to a particular team’s performance, as well as deliver valuable legacy and community facilities.
The firm won the contract for the stadium in Ahmedabad, in 2009 after the then Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, recently elected Prime Minister of India, championed the innovative development. Work began on the project this spring, with the structure’s steel frame currently being installed this month.
The firm has been working with UK Trade & Investment to bring the product to international markets since 2010.
StadiArena founder, managing partner and former professional footballer Paul Fletcher developed the technology in 2004, before setting up the business in 2007.
He said: “We are delighted our project is coming to fruition. Having our first operational StadiArena in such a visionary and progressive city as Ahmedabad is truly an exciting prospect. The assistance we’ve had from UKTI to get our product into India – as well as other new markets – has been fantastic.
“Now we are looking to other markets and are working with UKTI to break into territories such as Brazil, Australia, USA, China and throughout Europe.”
When completed in April 2016, the Ahmedabad stadium will be a world class, multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility offering potential for a national sports academy.
