It’s been a very busy period over at S6, with years’ worth of work being completed in a matter of months following Arise’s takeover of the club. The North Stand required particular attention, with improvements needing to be made in order for it to even open after it drifted into disrepair during Dejphon Chansiri’s time in charge.
Arise wasted no time in undertaking the work needed to get it up to code, and while the faint outline of the former owner’s name remains barely visible, the stand is in much better shape than it was prior to May’s takeover.
Two of the companies involved in the job, Foxton Construction and CAN – which is an acronym of Corde à Noeuds, the French for knotted rope, have given a bit of detail into what the last few months have looked like for them at Hillsborough.
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“Foxton Construction is pleased to be supporting Sheffield Wednesday Football Club with the refurbishment of the North Stand,” the former said. “Following our appointment to assist with the upgrades, the team worked collaboratively with Arup to develop an agreed programme of works, ensuring the stand was ready for the Club’s first fixture on the 20th of August.
“Operating within a complex live environment, the project presented several technical challenges, including the refurbishment of an existing structure, working at height and the safe management of the existing paint.
“The initial works included structural weld repairs and remedial drainage improvements to enhance the spectator experience. The site team worked closely with our trusted supply chain to mobilise quickly and deliver these essential works safely, enabling the team to meet the tight programme ahead of the first fixture.
“With the initial works now complete, the project moves into its next phase, focusing on the full repainting of the North Stand and restoring it to its iconic Sheffield Wednesday blue.”
A lick of paint will no doubt go down well amongst fans, and there’s hope that the whole stadium will get the same treatment as time goes on. There are also plans to renovate the actual seating on the North in the future, too.
As for CAN, they’ve spoken about the logistical challenges that come with such a vast and varied project – especially when working to such a tight schedule.
In a post on social media, they said, “At Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, we’re carrying out essential maintenance works to the existing cantilever roof, with around 76 new purlins being installed across 19 bays.
“The project is being delivered using a combination of rope access and CAN-Span, allowing our team to access the underside of the roof and carry out the works without relying on conventional access methods… We’re working closely with Foxton Construction across the stadium, with various trades being carried out at once. This means close coordination with painters, welders and other contractors is essential as the scope continues to develop.
“Getting the project up and running within a short lead time has been logistically challenging, making collaboration between the CAN and Foxton teams particularly important. The site team has adapted well to an ever-changing scope while maintaining high standards of safety and performance.
“The project is progressing well and is expected to continue through to October, with the team maintaining a strong focus on safety and collaboration.”
On top of the new purlins, CAN have also been charge of the reinstatement of drainage sheeting to the underside of the famous cantilever roof.
While the changes and improvements have been many, both visible and unseen, there is still a long way to go when it comes to Arise’s vision for the home of the Owls. Millions have been spent already, and there’s plenty still left to do.
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Full marks to the engineering team working in those conditions, and to the new Board for sanctioning the expenditure. Maybe this will ensure that no-one is allowed to boo, as our vote of thanks and solidarity
Looking forward to seeing our north stand looking loved again 🫶🏽🦉🦉🦉