Alpine, in a temporary joint venture with another company, has enlarged the stadiums in Salzburg and Innsbruck and built the Klagenfurt ready for the 2008 EuroCup.

Spectators have been given close-up seating in the three stadiums, with improved acoustics and fluid movement for large numbers of people. The three stadiums have similar structures: a low concrete grandstand built on site or prefabricated onto which a higher grandstand will be built in the enlargement phase. Except in Innsbruck, the other two stadiums have grandstands separated by a distribution area giving access to the seating. The upper grandstand is a removable steel construction. The enormous areas of the roof and elevations are of sheeting and translucent material to provide protection against the weather while acting as an acoustic reflector.

Wals-Siezenheim stadium, Salzburg

The Wals-Siezenheim stadium was originally built in 2003. For the 2008 EuroCup, the capacity has been increased from 17,000 to 30,000. The most important part of the enlargement has been the raising of the roof, carried out with the stadium in use, a real technological challenge. In just two days, the 17,000 m2 roof weighing 1,900 tonnes was lifted 10.5 metres using 12 large lifting jacks and 56 smaller cranes, to place it in the required position.
The second grandstand area was built progressively. Each finished segment provided a new pair of supports for the roof, which was suspended in a temporary position. Two months after the lifting, the roof was lowered by a few centimetres and positioned on the new steel construction.
Another notable feature of the stadium is the contrast between the seating area, the playing field lower down and the lightness of the roof. To integrate the enormous building into its surroundings - the stadium is located in a flat area, near the Baroque palace of Klessheim - it was lowered to the water table level and surrounded with a sloping construction. The façade is of untreated larch.

Cost of project: €35.9 million

Promoter: SWS Stadion Salzburg Wals-Siezenheim Planungs- und Errichtungs GmbH

Architects: ARGE Schuster Architekten GmbH - Albert Wimmer ZT GmbH

Project duration: April 2006 - July 2007

Useable area: 10,366 m2 (stadium enlargement) + 8,198 m2 of temporary installations = 18,564 m2

Capacity during the 2008 EuroCup: 30,900 seats

Tivoli stadium, Innsbruck
The Tivoli stadium in Innsbruck is almost a century old. For the 2008 EuroCup, the capacity has been increased from 17,400 to 31.600 seats while maintaining its normal functioning. The original steel roof was removed and replaced with a large three level grandstand, partly supported on the steel structure.

Because of the architectural features, it was only built up on three sides but, in compensation, there is a magnificent view of the mountains. The roof was raised by 30 metres.

The temporary enlargement was undertaken considering that the stadium must be restored to its original condition after the 2008 EuroCup. All the steel elements are bolted, removable and modular. In July 2008, after the 2008 EuroCup, the stadium will be restored to its original size.

For many football fans, the Tivoli stadium has become the favourite among the new installations in Austria due to its versatility and construction, reminiscent of the old English stadiums.

Cost of project: €33.3 million

Promoter: ISpA Innsbrucker Sportanlagen Errichtungs- und Verwertungs GmbH

Architects: Albert Wimmer ZT GmbH

Project duration: December 2005 - September 2007

Useable area: 2,185 m2 (stadium enlargement) + 2,945 m2 of temporary installations = 5,130 m2

Capacity during the 2008 EuroCup: 31,000 seats

Wörthersee stadium, Klagenfurt

The Wörthersee stadium in Klagenfurt is the most modern in Austria. The building is notable for its attractive architectural elements that are optimally integrated into the idyllic landscape. The roof construction, a sickle-shaped steel lattice work with a superstructure based on secondary girders, supports it. The western side is lower to allow a view of the Karavanken mountains. Another innovation is the building of a transparent VIP area at the bottom of the western side. The elevation of the grandstand on the eastern side enlivens the elegant shell shape and underlines the elegance of the complex on the outside.

The stadium has been built with special regard for the spectators. The distribution area that runs around the entire perimeter is the architectural intersection between the upper and lower parts.

After 2009, the stadium will be restored to is capacity of 12,500 seats.

Cost of project: €65.2 million

Promoter: Klagenfurt town council

Architects: Albert Wimmer ZT GmbH

Project duration: January 2006 - August 2007

Useable area: 20.522 m2; net capacity: 32,000 seats; previous capacity: 12,500 seats