The wealthy Persian Gulf nation of Qatar is spending at least $4 billion of its oil and other resource riches to build leading-edge, environmentally friendly facilities and infrastructure to host the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament. The program involves building nine new stadiums, upgrading three others and constructing related facilities and upgrades to transportation infrastructure. Work will be coordinated with the assistance of Denver-based CH2M Hill Cos., a veteran manager of large sports construction programs that was selected last month as the program manager. U.S. and European designers are already onboard.
According to published reports, CH2M Hill won the contract, whose value was not disclosed, over five other bidders. The tournament host committee did not release the names of competitors, but they are said to include Arup, Mace and Laing O'Rourke, all of London, and Turner International, New York City. CH2M Hill, Mace and Laing O'Rourke have managed construction for the 2012 London Summer Olympics.