Complexe Sportif de Kintélé – design description

New national sports complex for Congo is being built roughly 20km from central Brazzaville, in the north-eastern outskirt of Kintélé. Covering over 80 hectares, the precinct will include large main stadium, indoor event hall (10,140 capacity), natatorium (2,028 seats) and secondary venues like two training stadiums, media pavilions, etc. The whole site, nicknamed Complexe sportif de Kintélé, is created for the 2015 All-African Games (Sept 04-19).

Main stadium can hold up to 60,055 people on three continuous tiers around the field and running track. The plan foresees installation of 58,000 regular seats in national colours, 1,800 VIP-standard seats and 100 top-level for the presidential box.

The athlete and office infrastructure will be housed in the massive concrete main structure, which will be then topped by 8,000-ton steel roof. Covered with aluminum-magnesium “golden” sheets, the roof will reach peak at 50.7m.

The design was jointly developed by Chinese and Australian architects, while all of the complex is estimated to cost XAF 380 billion. Financing comes mostly from the Chinese government, who also provided design and contractors. All managing staff and high-rank construction workers (1,500) are Chinese, while only the lowest workers were recruited among locals (3,000).