BAM appointed as contractor for NIA redevelopment

With full backing by Birmingham City Council as part of their Big City Plan, the modernisation of the NIA will take advantage of its unique location on the city’s canal side. The most dramatic element will be a new glass-fronted façade and Front of House Showcase straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, creating a dynamic arrival for visitors and adding 5,926 m² of pre/post show space into the 13,437 m² of redevelopment. Iconic ‘Sky Needles’ on top of the NIA will add to the skyline of Birmingham and light up at night.

Enhanced hospitality/food and beverage offers and seven-days-a-week retail outlets will all add value to the visitor experience. The flow within the NIA will be made much easier, increasing the ease of access and comfort.

All areas of the NIA will be touched by the redevelopment – from front of house through to backstage.

Phase 1 in 2013 construction will centre on the redevelopment of key backstage areas of the NIA, including control room, medical and storage facilities, as well as production offices, crew catering facilities and dressing rooms – offering the latest in technology and first-class facilities for promoters and artists.

Phase 2 in 2014 will move into a further period of redevelopment work, including hospitality suites, concourse expansion, improved circulation areas and – most significantly – the new external façade of the NIA. The NIA redevelopment is due for completion in winter 2014.

Phil Mead, Managing Director of Arenas, NEC Group, said: ‘As the second largest city in the UK, it’s vital that Birmingham remains at the top of its game and the redeveloped NIA will contribute to the future of the city and the Big City Plan. The NIA sits at the heart of Birmingham and welcomes world-renowned singers, athletes, comedians and performers who all help to shine a light on what the city has to offer. We are delighted that work will start this June to make our vision a reality for Birmingham, our clients, audiences and visitors. BAM Construction presented a most compelling case which resulted in them being awarded the main contract and we look forward to working in partnership with them to deliver this exciting project.’

Richard Dakin, Director at BAM Construction, added: ‘We are extremely pleased that the NIA have entrusted the redevelopment to BAM. This high profile project will benefit from BAM’s substantial experience in major projects both in the Midlands and nationwide and we look forward to working closely with the NIA team to successfully deliver this exciting redevelopment of the NIA.’

The NIA will remain open throughout the majority of the redevelopment (closed summer months 2013 and summer months 2014) with a full programme of events including Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story (20-22 September 2013), Black Sabbath (22 December 2013), British Athletics Grand Prix (February 2014) TNA Impact Wrestling (2 February 2014), Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships (March 2014), Jack Whitehall (14 March 2014), and Miranda Hart (8-10 April 2014), amongst others.

Barclaycard will become naming rights partner at the NIA, as part of a five-year sponsorship deal between the NEC Group and Barclaycard.

To view the latest information on the NIA redevelopment, please visit www.futurenia.co.uk or #futureNIA @thenia

• The architects are Broadway Malyan. BAM Construction Ltd has been appointed as contractor.
• The National Indoor Arena (NIA) is one of the busiest, large scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe. Since opening in 1991, it has welcomed visitors to over 30 different sports and an extensive variety of entertainment and music. Everything from Oasis, Coldplay, Sir Cliff Richard and Kings of Leon, to Disney on Ice and Cirque du Soleil.
• The NIA has also hosted a range of international sporting events, including the World Trampolining and Tumbling Championships and European Gymnastics Championships. With its premier indoor athletics track, it has also hosted the Aviva Grand Prix and World Indoor Athletics.
• The multi-purpose arena is as flexible as they come - it can stage concerts, entertainment spectaculars, business conferences and exhibitions.  The adaptable format of the NIA Academy creates a more intimate theatre-style auditorium to accommodate smaller concerts, ballet as well as comedy and theatre.
• Sitting in the centre of the city, the NIA is the beating heart of Birmingham and has access to all major transport methods. In addition to three central train stations and city centre bus routes, there are also over 2,000 NIA car parking spaces with additional access to nearby city centre car parks.