AIRM Site Visit Risk Manager
by Peter O'Toole
Our annual site visit was to the nearly completed Aviva Stadium in Landsdowne Rd.
This site visit was kindly arranged by our Aviva members Michael Brennan and Ian Davis. Due to visitor number restrictions a draw was held to determine who the lucky 20 attendees would be. Despite some ribbing from members the draw was all above board as to who the lucky persons who would attend. We met in the old IRFU Head Office directly beside the stadium to obtain a briefing and kit out in the necessary personal protective equipment before entering the arena. Bill Enright made a presentation on behalf of the contractors and then we were broken up into two groups to conduct the tour. The pitch had just be laid in the previous days though obviously there was no sign of any grass at that stage.
➢• Dressing rooms and team preparation areas ➢• Security centre ➢• E xecutive boxes ➢• Medical and First Aid Areas ➢• Catering Facility ➢• General Bars ➢• Vehicle Parking ➢• General Stadium and pitch side
" ... the atmosphere is going to be something quite special on a match day."
There was a general feeling from all in attendance that the atmosphere is going to be something quite special on a match day and even with matches which may not have a full attendance. Some of the photographs with this article should give a good sense of feeling of what the stadium is like.
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It was a case of “Access All Areas” for us, though obviously some areas were not completed. Areas where we visited included:
To the surprise of members our esteemed Secretary and Aviva Staff member got lost and tested the contactors management systems in trying to locate him. A wag amongst our midst unkindly asked where the children’s Lost and Found area was. Fortunately he was safely located and there is no truth in rumour that it was close to the ticket office! At the conclusion of the tour our Chairperson, Geraldine Dempsey on behalf of AIRM thanked Bill Enright for the pleasure of being one of the first to visit the Aviva Stadium.