Mansell, Barr, Verry among five chasing Olympic handball arena deal

Five firms including Mansell Construction Services have been announced as contenders in the battle to build the London 2012 handball arena.

Barr, Buckingham Group, Byrne Group, Mansell Construction Services and Verry Construction have been shortlisted for the job.

Designed by Make Architects with PTW and Ove Arup, the arena will host handball and pentathlete aspects of fencing and shooting during the Olympics, plus goalball during the Paralympics.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said it hoped to appoint a successful bidder by spring 2009 with work to start on site next summer.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: “This is a quality shortlist for one of the last remaining opportunities to build a permanent Olympic Park venue.

“The handball arena is an important venue both for spectators and athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the local community and sports teams in legacy.

“After the Games the venue will cater for indoor sports ranging from basketball and handball and gymnastics boosting the sporting facilities provided across the Olympic Park.”