From epic sports matches to some of the world’s biggest artists and high-profile events, Cape Town’s DHL Stadium has played host to a myriad of successes since its construction, reports Cape {town} Etc.
This time, the iconic venue adds yet another success to its cabinet – not for an event, but for the very grounds upon which these events take place.
The DHL Stadium recently received a Gold award at the prestigious International Project Management Association (IPMA) Global Project Management Awards for its recent pitch replacement project.
The IPMA, one of the world’s leading project management bodies, bestows these awards on projects demonstrating outstanding performance and innovation.
The awards ceremony, held at the DHL Stadium itself, underscores the pitch project’s strategic execution, technical excellence and sustainable practices, aligning with the rigorous IPMA evaluation criteria, which focus on People, Purpose, Processes, Resources and Results.
The project saw the pitch being upgraded from a natural grass pitch to a cutting-edge hybrid grass system, integrating natural grass with synthetic fibres.
Now on par with global venues such as Twickenham and Stade de France, the stadium’s new pitch offers durability far exceeding conventional fields, capable of handling six times more traffic. This means the stadium is able to host a range of back-to-back events with minimal downtime for recovery.
According to the City of Cape Town, the project showcased remarkable planning and execution.
The team navigated a tight 12-month timeline during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, leveraging detailed scheduling and agile management to overcome challenges, including unforeseen delays in the delivery of materials. Construction on-site took just 86 days, with critical milestones meticulously tracked through a day-by-day programme.
When the hybrid grass system shipment faced weather-related delays, the team swiftly re-sequenced two major milestones – the installation and grow-in-period – ensuring the overall schedule remained intact.
Additionally, the project prioritised sustainability by reusing 1 750 cubic metres of excavated materials and optimising the irrigation system, reinforcing the City’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices and long-term operational efficiency.
The City added that since its completion, the new pitch has significantly enhanced the stadium’s operational flexibility. Over 200 events have been hosted, attracting more than 500 000 spectators. This increased capacity has not only boosted the stadium’s appeal but also provided substantial economic benefits to the local community and other service providers.
‘This award is a testament to our team’s dedication to excellence. The new hybrid pitch meets the highest international standards and significantly enhances our ability to host back-to-back events,’ said DHL Stadium CEO Gina Woodburn.
‘This drives economic growth, supports local businesses and fosters community engagement. We’re proud to set a new benchmark for stadium infrastructure and contribute to Cape Town’s global reputation.’
Sharing her sentiment of pride, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said, ‘I am proud of the DHL Stadium’s achievement. This was a necessary and important project, executed perfectly. The stadium is proving to be one of the busiest and the preferred venue for big events in the country’.
With the HSBC Cape Town SVNS set to take over the stadium this weekend, followed by a line-up of action-packed sports clashes later this month, it suffices to say the DHL Stadium is truly green and gold.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook
