Swansea Council’s £700,000 grant from the Welsh Assembly Government marked the beginning of a new fixture for the 1.5 hectare site. But much has happened since then.
When the demolition and site clearance contract began in February, the 20-man Cuddy team erected fencing to make the area safe and secure before removing asbestos and soft-stripping the site of all loose fixtures and fittings. Sentimental items such as seats, turf and advertising hoardings had already been removed by fans after the last game, before the stadium was boarded up.
Throughout the ensuing 14-weeks, Cuddy then razed the Vetch’s four stands to ground level utilising a combination of machinery including a CAT 345 high reach, 60 tonne excavators and dumper trucks. Having commenced with the North Bank in February to gain access to the centre of the site, the team moved onto the South Stand and West (double decker) Terrace.
The 15m high East Stand – more affectionately known as the Toshack Stand after a former manager – posed perhaps the most complex structure to remove. Of a much newer construction, the heavy steel cantilever frame with floodlight tower atop, required slow, meticulous dismantling with a 250te crane, rather than conventional demolition. But the stand’s location – not only on the sea front but incredibly close to residential gardens – proved an added challenge. Scaffolding was erected and Cuddy removed dirty sheeting from the stand by hand so that properties were protected as much as possible.
This then paved the way for Cuddy’s civil-engineering experts to move in. The team is now bringing the project to a close by undertaking an 8-week package of cut and fill earthworks, remedial works to boundary walls, road and footpath surfacing, drainage and topsoil laying.
Peter Smith, Cuddy Group’s senior contracts manager commented: “We are about to finally mark the end of an era at the Vetch. There is naturally a lot of nostalgia attached to this stadium as it hosted many nail-biting matches in its heyday, but having sat redundant for many years, it had not only become an eyesore but also a health and safety risk.
“Now the site has a bright new future ahead of it, as does Swansea City Football Club it seems, following its recent Premiership promotion.”
As always sustainable working has been a key consideration throughout the project. 98% of site materials – including steel, plastic seating, clean timber and soil – have been recycled and 5,000 tonnes of concrete rubble has been reused on the project in soft and hard landscaped areas.
All work has been carried out considerately to minimise disruption to the community. For example, Swansea Council worked closely alongside the Cuddy Group to put together an acceptable demolition plan that took into account the proximity of nearby residential properties, and a drop-in centre was set up in the local hall so that the team could consult with neighbouring residents about the works.
Peter continues: “Having worked on many sporting stadia over the years – including Ninian Park and Stradey Park – we are able to undertake such projects not only safely and cost-effectively, but with utmost respect for those involved.”
When Cuddy moves off-site at the end of July, the newly landscaped area will be ripe for regeneration. With a prime location for much-needed housing and green space, a redevelopment scheme on this site will offer great benefits to the local community.
Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The last month has been an exceptional one for all fans of Swansea City Football Club.
“The team’s promotion to the Premier League allows the city to look forward to top class football on our doorstep in future but we can’t forget the contribution the Vetch made to Swansea sporting folklore in the past.
“Demolition of the Vetch is now just about complete and, while it’s sad to see, both Swansea and our beloved football team had to move with the times and we hope a landscaped site will pave the way for a redevelopment scheme that will boost the local community in the Sandfields area.
“We appointed the Cuddy Group because of their expertise and their staff should be commended for the professionalism they’ve shown and the way they continued to keep the nearby community updated with progress.”
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