GOVERNMENT STADIUM - SOOKUNPOO
In
View of the west side of the stadium looking towards the covered stands.
our September-October 1953 issue. Architectural Office responsible for Ad- we gave a preliminary description of the ministrative Block and Dressing Rooms. Пен Government Stadium at Sookunpoo. work on which commenced
The football field is of maximum size, on the 21st July, 1953- The work is now completed 120 x 80 yards in accordance with Inter and in spite of a number of changes national Standards. A cinder track 28 it. which were decided to be incorporated in in width, capable of accommodating 7 the scheme and in spite of all the difficul- lanes of competitors, encircles it while ties met during the course of construction, the inner lane of the track will have it has been completed within the contract a length of +50 metres and period.
There is
stretch a
The first stage of the stadium now com- pleted has been designed to seat 28,500 spectators. 5.500 of which will be accom- modated in a covered enclosure. Spectators in the open terrace sections are provided with precast reinforced concrete backless benches of 12-inch width set on granite pedestals at 6 ft. intervals: the width be- tween each row of benches is 27 inches, radius built up in a series of terraces. Each of 130 ft. at each semi-circular end. block of seats on the straight and on the
of 120 yards
will accommodate at curves
an average of The facts and figures quoted in the
and 8.30 spectators respectively. following article incorporate all the chan- each side of the field for sprint and hurdle 940 ges that have been made and presents an
The turfed area is 138,000 sq. ft., separated by 6'-6" wide aisles having gal- In the up-to-date picture of a very fine sports
demarcated by a narrow concrete border vanised iron crush barrier rails. ground, which will permit of organised and capable of accommodating all other covered section of the ground, wooden slat type seats with back rests, supported on athletic and sports competitions by educa- athletic events.
steel frames at 3'-0" centres have been tional, welfare, social, private and public institutions in the Colony.
provided. This section also houses the V.I.P. and Press Enclosures, each having A feature accommodation for 68 persons. of the press enclosure is that each cor- respondent has been provided with a writ- ing table. Underground lavatory accom- modation for both sexes has been spaced around the periphery of the Stadium at the upper concourse level.
When the preliminary plans were drawn it was thought that it might be possible to keep clear of the existing Indian Re- creation Club grounds, but after consulta- tion with the interested Sports Associa tions and the Police Traffic Department, it was found that, unless a small portion at the south end of the L.R.C. was taken over, it was impossible to incorporate into the scheme plans for the future expansion of the stadium with the problem of traffic circulation and car parks which had to be
taken into consideration.
Layout
events,
The track is separated from the 15 ft. wide concourse by a substantial fence in order to preserve the surface and keep spectators from encroaching on to the field.
Due to the formation of the valley, the prevailing wind will be along the longitu- dinal axis of the field and in the football season it will be predominantly a north wind. This will more or less offset the advantage gained from the setting sun during the period of the game.
To prevent overcrowding of the various sections of terraces the number of specta- Access to and exit from the ground is tors entering the Stadium will be recorded by a 20 ft. wide upper terrace level peri- each turnstile is fitted with a warning bell both mechanically and electrically and phery road оп which are situated 22
anv
ticket offices and 24 exit gates leading to set to ring when the predetermined figure and from the 33 sections of seating ter- for a particular section has been reached. general layout and design was races. In addition 6 further exit gates Thus the number of spectators in undertaken by the Port Works Öffice of flank the Pavilion at the northern end of section and the total for the Stadium will
Public Works Department with the the ground.
the
The
be known at any time.
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