McAvoy off-site building solutions

London 2012 is creating significant business opportunities for companies throughout the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland. Dungannon-based McAvoy Group, for example, has won a contract for the off-site manufacture of buildings at the Basketball Arena.

The Olympic Development Authority (ODA) awarded McAvoy Group, which has its GB base in Oxford, a framework contract to design and build offices, athletes' changing rooms, as well as press and media accommodation,

The accommodation will be manufactured in modules at the group's modern production plants and installed in September. The contract was secured by McAvoy Group through the ODA tendering process.

McAvoy Group, which was established in 1973, specialises in the fast-track design, factory manufacture and installation of permanent building solutions using volumetric construction techniques. It also designs and manufactures bathroom and bedroom pods for hotels, hospitals and housing developments.

Eugene Lynch, McAvoy Group Managing Director, said: "Winning this framework contract is a tremendous benefit for the company. We are delighted to be part of this project that is bringing such tangible benefits to the regions including Northern Ireland."

The 12,000 capacity Basketball Arena will host Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and the final stages of the Handball competition during the London 2012.

It will be one of the largest-ever modular accommodation venues built for any Games. During the Games it will be located in the north of the Olympic Park near the Velodrome and BMX Circuit.

The venue's 'back of house' area will be shared with the VeloPark venues to make most efficient use of space and resources. This will include two courts in modular accommodation and areas for catering, security, waste management and the media

After the Games the Arena is expected to be reused or relocated elsewhere in the UK.