22nd Commonwealth Games

In July 2022 Birmingham hosted the 22nd Commonwealth Games, welcoming athletes from 72 nations and territories to compete across 19 sporting disciplines. Browne’s Scaffolding Ltd proudly partnered with GL Events to deliver the essential infrastructure for most of the venues across the city and the wider West Midlands region.

The contract had two key responsibilities: First, the safe construction, maintenance, and dismantling of multiple temporary venue structures; and second, close collaboration with the event’s broadcasting team to ensure seamless coverage for thousands of live attendees and millions of viewers worldwide.

Throughout the project, particular attention was given to accessibility for all athletes both able-bodied and para-athletes, whilst maintaining the highest safety standards for the public amidst a complex and potentially hazardous environment.

Notable projects included: The Judo and Boxing platforms including access at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The start/finish dais for the Road Cycling in Myton Rd, Warwick as well as a prominent structure for sponsor banners and TV Screens. The route through Warwick and Leamington Spa was lined with our television gantry towers and containment bridges to ensure the broadcaster wouldn’t miss a moment’s action.

By far the most technically challenging project however was the construction of the Basketball and Beach Volleyball court in the heart of the city. Affectionately dubbed ‘The Bellodrome’ after the English Bello brothers’ gold medal heroics on the sand court.

Situated on the uneven terrain of the old Smithfield Market, the build required a perfectly level, low-profile platform. Meeting this challenge, our team engineered a 19m x 15m structure using tube and fitting with double board to provide both stability and strength which ultimately became the centrepiece of the main festival site.

To support the 2,000 tonnes of imported sand, reinforcement was required every 350mm. Our specialist teams worked around the clock in back-to-back shifts complying with the highest health and safety regulations to complete the structure within the tight schedule. Once in place, bi-weekly inspections were conducted throughout the event ensuring the safety of both athletes and the public with zero accidents or incidents reported.