Despe demolishes football stadium stand

Demolition contractor Despe has demolished 3000 cubic metres (cu m) of reinforced concrete in just two days at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia stadium in Bergamo, Italy.

The Italy-based company used seven excavators to complete the works in record time - eight days ahead of schedule - as part of renovations to the stadium’s North Stand.

The first stage of the works saw Despe demolish a total of 6,000 cu m of reinforced concrete in three weeks. Equal to 10,000 tonnes, the concrete was then loaded onto vehicles and taken to a recycling centre.

Despe also excavated a further 20,000 cu m for new foundations to be constructed.

Home to the Atalanta football team and also known as the Gewiss Stadium, it was originally built in 1927 with a seating capacity of around 12,000. Due for completion in 2020, the current redevelopment works are anticipated to increase capacity to 24,000 seats.