The Grand Stadium of Casablanca Reaches a New Milestone with an Estimated 370 Million Dirham Investment
The Grand Stadium project in Casablanca, located in the province of Benslimane, has reached a new milestone with the launch of two new international tenders aimed at carrying out significant development and equipment work at the sports venue. The total projected cost for these two contracts is estimated to be nearly 370 million dirhams, including taxes.
The two contracts primarily focus on the installation of the playing field and the seating arrangements in the stands, marking the progression of the construction towards a more technical and operational phase in anticipation of hosting major sporting competitions that meet international standards.
The first contract, valued at approximately 92.47 million dirhams, including taxes, involves the development of the playing area. It specifically includes the use of a system that combines hybrid natural grass with artificial turf, with a provisional deposit set at 1 million dirhams.
The chosen solution is based on reinforcing the natural grass with synthetic fibers to enhance its durability for intensive use and to accommodate a series of matches while maintaining the quality of the playing surface.
The installation will also include several technical features, such as a ventilation and underground drainage system designed to control moisture levels and optimize grass growth conditions.
Mobile LED lighting units will also be utilized to compensate for insufficient natural light. The intelligent irrigation system will be equipped with sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, and soil salinity.
The project execution duration is set at 14 months. Following provisional acceptance, the selected company will also be responsible for the complete maintenance of the playing field for a period of up to 24 months.
The second contract, estimated at 277.50 million dirhams, including taxes, focuses on equipping the stands with various types of seating. The provisional deposit for this contract has been set at 4 million dirhams.
The work includes the supply and installation of seats intended for the general public, as well as those reserved for journalists, VIPs, and VVIPs. The plans also include the setup of press tables and camera platforms.
The contract furthermore stipulates precise topographical controls to ensure the correct installation, positioning, and numbering of seats according to the approved plans.
The execution deadline for this contract is also set at 14 months from the service order to commence work. Delay penalties may be imposed, amounting to one-thousandth of the contract value per day of delay, up to a maximum of 8% of the total amount.
The contract includes several financial guarantees, notably a definitive guarantee equal to 3% of the initial contract amount and a retention of 10% on each payment, until it reaches 7% of the overall contract value.
Subcontracting will be capped at 50% of the contract value, and essential work related to the supply and installation of the seats cannot be delegated to other companies.
A warranty period of 12 months is also stipulated from the provisional acceptance of the work to ensure the quality and compliance of the installed equipment.
On the local economic development front, the specifications prioritize materials and products made in Morocco. Up to 20% of the jobs created by this work must be reserved for local labor from the region hosting the project.
The company Sonarges is overseeing the project, while the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP) acts as the delegated project manager.
The launch of these two new tenders thus confirms the continuation of investments necessary for the completion of the Grand Stadium of Casablanca, one of the major sports projects currently underway in Morocco. The aim is to equip the venue with facilities and technologies that meet the requirements of modern stadiums and international standards.
