When the 2010 World Cup kicks off in June to July this year, thousands of adoring fans will be in attendance to witness this spectacular event, however, even more, practically millions will view it via live broadcast feed from various media organisations sending the play-by-play action to their respective countries around the world.
Catering to these media organisations’ accommodation and needs is the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). Located in Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec is in close proximity to Soccer City, the stadium that will host the opening and closing event as well as the final match, the IBC is a temporary hub for broadcasters during the six week event and will broadcast to a cumulative television audience of 30 billion. In order to successfully host these organisations, the Expo Centre has undertaken extensive upgrades.
The township of Nasrec, situated between Soweto and Johannesburg’s CBD, has long been a priority of the government to develop. The coming World Cup has catalysed the area’s development, which has manifested itself throughout the township and has included upgrades or new developments to various aspects including, road infrastructure leading to the township; improvements to the Golden Highway; extensions to the N1 highway and the off ramps leading into Nasrec’s precinct. There have also been aesthetic touches such as additional light posts and landscaping in and around the precinct.
Most significant developments in the area include the new Nasrec rail station and an intermodal transport hub, which upon completion will house city buses, the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), meter taxis and mini-bus taxis. In addition to the upgrades of the Expo Centre and Soccer City Stadium, these new developments are major improvements to the Nasrec Precinct and will facilitate seamless transportation to and from the area.
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With regards to the Expo Centre, Craig Newman, CEO says, “There has been significant investment on landscaping and aesthetics to give people increased comfort upon arriving at the Expo Centre. They are walking into a facility that could be positioned anywhere in Europe or America. So our intention was to give international broadcasters the expected comfort levels and a unique experience upon arriving in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. But, also to have the experience in becoming a sustainable legacy development.”
The R30 million (US $3.9 million) upgrade, completed in December 2009 after a six month programme, elevates the centre to international standards and includes new entrances to the facility, landscaping; upgrades to the halls and creation of 11 new entrances to these halls. Adding an appeal that will create a lasting impression on patrons, the world class halls were designed with meticulous detail to creativity and include new concrete flooring, glass forms, shop fronts, over 15,000m2 of carpeting, 25,000m2 of floor tiling and 20,000m2 of roof tiles. Technical and IT infrastructure upgrades have also taken place to adequately accommodate the heighten use of these services during the World Cup broadcasts.
Originally constructed in 1984 the facility was antiquated as it had not received any major upgrades since its development. The imminent World Cup provided the perfect opportunity to upgrade the centre, which is envisaged to provide lasting local and international business for years to come. The influx of patrons and business people to the facility will directly benefit the centre as well as Nasrec and other areas around Johannesburg in terms of increased revenue.
Nasrec Precinct developers envisioned this area for use as a node that provides sports, recreation, exhibition and conferencing, which would ignite the hospitality industry, entertainment and dining facilities for the benefit of residents and visitors. Only time will reveal if their intentions were realised, yet going by the designs and planning the precinct will become an iconic destination in South Africa.
REF: www.constructionreviewonline.com |
