TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to witness a feat of engineering that will dramatically transform the skyline surrounding the City of Toronto's historic Exhibition Place grounds when PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) raises the roof on BMO Field's south concourse on Sunday, February 21, 2016.
Assembled on site as one massive structure weighing over 490 metric tonnes (980,000 pounds), the south canopy will be lifted in tandem by two Mammoet lattice boom crawler cranes. With a combined lifting capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes, the two massive cranes will simultaneously lift and then crawl the 377 by 68 foot canopy from the foot of the south concourse for incorporation into the roof structure that will cover the east, west and south stands.
| What: |
Interview and photo/video opportunity |
|
|
| When: |
Sunday, February 21, 2016, projected 7:30 - 8 a.m. start time ** |
|
|
| Who: |
PCL senior project manager Neil Barrows will be periodically available for interviews during the lift. |
|
|
| Where: |
Exhibition Place parking lot, to the south of BMO Field, Toronto ON |
**Important Instructions**
- To adhere to the strict safety protocols required for this critical lift, while balancing the opportunity to provide access to members of the media, media will not be permitted access to the construction site, however PCL has coordinated a media staging area outside the perimeter of the construction site, as detailed on the attached site map.
- A critical lift is an orchestration of precision and patience to ensure that every element goes exactly as planned.
- At 7 a.m. the lift's specialized procedures will be reviewed with crew members, with the commencement of the lift most likely to begin at/after 8 a.m.
- The duration of the lift procedure could take between three to four hours, however it could take longer or be pushed back dependent on weather or other site conditions.
BACKGROUNDER: CONSTRUCTING THE BMO FIELD EXPANSION PROJECT
VIDEO: Go behind the scenes of BMO Field's Phase 2 Expansion with PCL Toronto senior project manager Neil Barrows in this video update to watch a 600-ton crane lift sections of the east roof into place, and learn about the complex engineering and planning involved in expanding and enhancing an aging stadium with an existing structure.
Phase One:
- In its role as construction manager, PCL completed the first phase of an aggressive two-year renovation of BMO Field in time for Toronto FC's home opener in May, 2015.
- The 12-month project was compressed into just 7 months, and included construction of an 8,400-seat upper bowl on top of the east grandstand, bringing capacity up to over 30,000.
- This phase also saw the addition of a continuous concourse level and kitchen, and enhancements to washrooms, concessions, and executive VIP spaces.
Phase Two:
- PCL mobilized on site in mid-October, 2015 following completion of Toronto FC's 2015 season for the second phase of the project focused on creating a canopy roof to cover all fixed seating, essentially working within the existing infrastructure to create a new structure.
- To carry the colossal load of the roof trusses that cover the east, west and south stands, four super-columns were engineered in each corner of the stadium, plugged into bedrock using a system of micro piles drilled 7 meters below ground.
- Temporary blue shoring towers were installed along the east and west sides of the field to support the 15 roof girders during construction. All work was completed using cranes from outside the stadium to prevent damaging the field.
- The east and west roof canopies were built on-site and lifted in sections.
- Assembled on site as one massive structure weighing over 490 metric tonnes (980,000 pounds), the south canopy will be lifted in tandem by two Mammoet lattice boom crawler cranes.
- With a combined lifting capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes, the two massive cranes will simultaneously lift and then crawl the 377 by 68 foot canopy from the foot of the south concourse for incorporation into the roof structure that will cover the east, west and south stands.
- Transported from Holland, the Mammoet CC2400 crane was so large that it necessitated over 100 tractor trailers to transport it to site.
- Once the roof sections are installed and all trusses are bolted, the shoring towers will be removed.
- To integrate the arrival of the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, PCL has completed an additional scope of work to include an extension to the field of play, new movable north and south stands, new home and visitor locker rooms, and field lighting.
- To ensure that BMO Field remains a soccer first venue, the playing field will be a dual system between natural grass and artificial turf.
- For more information on protecting the pitch at BMO Field, click here.
Along with a new sound and lighting system, these upgrades will bring BMO Field on par with other premiere MLS venues, enhancing the fan and player experience by providing a louder, more energetic stadium, as the venue prepares to host the:
- TFC home opener versus FC Dallas (May 7)
- Toronto Argonauts home opener versus the Hamilton Tiger Cats (June 23)
- 2016 Grey Cup (November 27)
BMO Field expansion project partners:
SOURCE Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
Image with caption: "BMO Field Site Map (CNW Group/Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160220_C2205_PHOTO_EN_625255.jpg
Media Contact: Dave Haggith, MLSE, 416-450-1681, [email protected]; Liisa Morley, PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto), 647-406-4851, [email protected].
Share this article