Lang Park Suncorp-Metway Stadium

For Higgins’ Queensland team, the redevelopment at Lang Park’s world-class Suncorp Metway Stadium was quite a test. Relative newcomers playing with skill and confidence, Higgins was keen to impress with a strong winning performance that would set them up for a successful future.

A Multiplex Constructions and Watpac Pty Ltd joint venture that commenced in 2001, Higgins’ work at the site began in January 2003 and from the outset, they were determined to do whatever it takes to perform a quality job.

As Queensland State Manager, Chris Dennis put it: “The Lang Park project, being such a high profile project, gave Higgins in Queensland a chance to establish our brand name within the construction industry whilst strengthening our existing relationship with both Multiplex Constructions & Watpac Pty Ltd.”

The construction itself involved building an eastern stand to join with the new northern and southern stands creating a fully enclosed 52,500 capacity seating “bowl” covered by a new roof. With new corporate suites, lounges and bars being built within the stands, Higgins was extremely busy from the outset painting all internal and external surfaces that included an anti-graffiti application in all public areas.

Access to such a large site on the edge of the CBD was a significant issue with Higgins utilising 100 and 80ft booms plus a box crane when needing to reach difficult elevated areas.

The team had been impressive with progress continuing at a good, steady pace and all remained on schedule for completion prior to the first State Of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales in June 2003.

Then, three and a half weeks before the big match, the decision was made to repaint the old western stand. Suddenly, the pressure was really on and here was Higgins’ big opportunity to prove that they could do the job and do it well no matter what the circumstances.

To their credit, the team literally put their collective hand up and knuckled down working night and weekend shifts to ensure everything was finished before the football began. In the end, it was a great performance that was completed on time and to the highest possible standards.

Jim Russ, Project Manager with the Multiplex/Watpac joint venture, was extremely happy with the way Higgins Coatings went about their business saying (with the understatement of a demanding victorious coach!), “They were very competent and there were no hassles...as far as we’re concerned, it went well.”

 

Division: New Construction
Region: QLD
Customer: Baulderstone Hornibrook