The Qatar organizing committee said that the reconstruction of Khalifa Int'l Stadium is making "rapid progress" and will become Qatar’s first completed World Cup venue when work wraps up by the end of next year, according to Lesley Walker of DOHA NEWS. Since efforts began last year to redevelop the stadium in the Aspire Zone, 90% of the structural concrete (42,000 cubic meters) "has been laid and the remainder is expected to be done in the next two months." Organizers said that "they are planning for the stadium to be handed over to them by the end of 2016." Khalifa Stadium, which is nearly 40 years old, "is being remodeled to meet FIFA regulations for the hosting group, round of 16 and quarter-final World Cup matches." The seated areas will be covered by a "tent," which will provide
shade for around 70% of the stadium. This "is being fabricated" in
the U.S. and assembled in Mexico. It is expected to be shipped to Doha "soon" and will be fixed using German-made cabling. On the arena’s east wing there "will be a building housing the new
3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum." The upper and lower levels of the wing "will also feature food courts,
shops, multi-purpose rooms, VIP lounges and a health center" (DOHA NEWS, 9/2).
