Cardiff stadium topped out
A 'topping out' ceremony has been held to mark the progress being made on a new 25,000-seat stadium in Cardiff.
The stadium, in the Leckwith area of the city, will be the new home of both Cardiff City Football Club and Cardiff Blues rugby team. Officials from both clubs, as well as Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman, attended the ceremony to celebrate the stadium reaching its highest point. Developers PMG Estates and builders Laing O'Rourke were also represented.
Work on the stadium began last year, and it is expected to be completed next year in time for the start of the 2009-10 season. Once open, the football club's current Ninian Park ground will be redeveloped for housing. Berman said: "The stadium is a testimony to the vision Peter Ridsdale and Cardiff City Football Club, the commitment of PMG Estates and other partners, and the professionalism of Laing O'Rourke and their sub-contractors.
"This stadium will be fitting for the Premier League and the whole city is looking forward to the day when it will be used by Cardiff City Football Club in the top flight. With Cardiff Blues now firmly on board, the overall scheme here at Leckwith will represent an unsurpassed centre of sporting excellence for the city of Cardiff and for Wales as a whole." Photo: Berwyn Jay