South Australian sports fans will return to a bigger and better stadium this summer as the new Southern Stand at Adelaide oval is unveiled.

The $535 million redevelopment began in late 2011 and includes two new grandstands, a new international standard indoor cricket centre and oval works. It follows on from a smaller project completed in November 2011 to upgrade the Western/Members grandstand.

Set in parklands, Adelaide oval is considered one of the world’s most picturesque grounds. This is in part due to the northern end where spectators can relax on the famous grassed mound or take shade under the historic Moreton Bay fig trees. Further in the distance are views of the parkland and St Peter’s Cathedral.

Colin Batey, Project Manager for mechanical services contractor OP Industries, has been involved with the project from the start. He said the new design was thoughtful, and care had been taken to preserve the northern vista. As such, the northern area was revamped in 2012, but all its unique features, including the Edwardian scoreboard which has been in operation since 1911, had been retained. Seats were added in front of the mound and timber decking now winds through the fig trees providing an additional viewing platform.

“The main changes are of course the two new grandstands which will boost the ground’s capacity from 36,000 to 50,000 spectators,” he said. With more than 75% of seats under cover, the two new stands will provide shade in summer and protection from the elements in winter.

Colin said providing all the air conditioning and ventilation requirements for the project, including chiller and boiler installation and about 30km of pipework, was a massive job. “Looking at kitchen exhaust alone, there are 20 large blower type fans serving the 65 kitchen canopies throughout the complex. Fantech has been an enormous help, suggesting new improved products such as the Fan & Blower Centrifugal Fans which are new to Australia and are working well to meet the requirements of the specification.”

Fantech has supplied about 130 fans for the project including: toilet exhausts, supply and exhaust fans for the basement car park, smoke spill fans and in-line supply air fans. Many fans had been fitted with quality Fantech sound attenuators to reduce the noise impact on spectators and staff. Fantech also worked with OP Industries to ensure maximum fan and pump energy efficiency was achieved by supplying 85 Vacon Variable speed drives for the project.

Colin said the project was staged with key delivery times to fit in with major sporting events. “The next deadline was the Southern stand and entrance plaza to be completed before the Second test where Australia versed England,” he explained. “It was a very tight construction program and to ensure everything ran smoothly for the players, officials and spectators, we were on standby from the 5th to 9th of December.”

The project will continue into 2014 with the Eastern stand and indoor centre due for completion in March, just in time for the new AFL season.