Williaam Cox To ‘Raise The Roof’ On New Lansdowne Road Stadium

The contract, which is worth more than €20million, was today signed with John Sisk & Son, the Main Contractor, and the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company, a joint venture between the IRFU and the FAI.

Works on site are due to commence this October and are expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. The construction of the new 50,000 all-seater Lansdowne Road Stadium, with an estimated total project cost of €365M, is on schedule to be completed by Spring 2010.

"We are delighted that following months of tender action, design refinement and contract negotiations we have been awarded the contract for the design, manufacture and installation of the stadium façade and roof", commented Mr. Declan Quirke, Managing Director, Williaam Cox Ireland.

Mr. Quirke said the façade and 19000m² roof would enhance the Dublin City skyline and Williaam Cox are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious landmark project.

"The stadium is a complicated project in that it is entirely defined by the site and its surrounds. For example, the façade is a shimmering form of transparent polycarbonate louvres and acoustic/non-acoustic screens, rising both in the east and west and falling in the north to minimise the impact of the building on the adjoining neighbourhoods. Reflecting the colours of the sky and the light conditions, the stadium façade will be ever changing", continued Mr. Quirke.

Martin Sweeney, Sales Director, Williaam Cox Ireland, explained that the Lansdowne Road Stadium contract was the latest in a series of high profile contracts secured by the company.

According to Mr. Sweeney, "In recent years the company has delivered large scale projects for clients in a diverse range of sectors, including hospitality and leisure, education, transport, residential and retail."

"Completed projects include Croke Park Stadium, Cork Opera House, RTE Television Centre, Leopardstown Racecourse, Spencer Dock, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, University of Limerick and numerous local authority buildings throughout the country, including the award winning Kildare County Council Civic Offices. We are presently involved in projects at ICON, Charlestown Shopping Centre and Dublin Airport", he concluded.

Williaam Cox Ireland is a multi-million Irish company jointly owned by CRH plc and the Sicon Group, while it has over four decades of experience in the construction industry. It employs 130 staff in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

The company is a leading specialist in Curtain Walling, Daylight Products and Smoke & Heat Ventilation in Ireland.

For more information about Williaam Cox Ireland Ltd., visit www.williaamcox.ie.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:
- High-resolution 3D images of the proposed development are available on request.
- Declan Quirke, Managing Director, Williaam Cox Ireland Ltd. and Martin Sweeney, Sales Director, Williaam Cox Ireland Ltd. are available for interview and further comment. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company was originally set up in September 2004 by the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Minister John O'Donoghue. The company's remit was to be responsible for the construction and management of the proposed new stadium. Dublin City Council first granted planning permission for the stadium in July 2006 and An Bord Pleanala's decision in March 2007 confirmed the planning permission.