BG&E has enjoyed a long-standing involvement with structural works at the WACA, dating back to 1986.

Specific projects include the Lillee-Marsh Stand, the Inverarity and Prindiville Stand, light towers, perimeter seating, scoreboard relocation, and gates and entrances. Typically, all construction works at the WACA are scheduled to occur during the cricket off-season, between April and October. This is a relatively small window of opportunity for large-scale works, particularly as it falls during the winter period when inclement weather is more frequent.

A major focus for design is on the constructibility of the structure to ensure completion within the tight time frame. The Lillee-Marsh Stand and light towers projects are examples of large-scale works that were successfully undertaken during the off-season.

Previous to the design of the WACA light towers – new lights were installed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and the MCG lights were subject to significant cost overruns and an extended construction period of two years. The WACA administration was keen to ensure similar problems were not encountered at their stadium, and we worked with Multiplex to consider multiple structural forms and construction approaches prior to adopting a precast and prestressed tower structure.

The Lillee-Marsh Stand was a large undertaking for the off-season period and the design of the precast elements allowed the primary structure to be erected in only 18 days. Grandstands and lighting towers are wind- sensitive structures in that they are susceptible to dynamic excitation. We employed state-of- the-art design to ensure the grandstand roof and light towers were as slender as possible, yet stable when subject to wind.