When Kaohsiung was granted the right to host The World Games 2009 by the International World Games Association, the organizing committee immediately launched the venue renovation and construction project in order to meet International Federation standards. The most important project was undoubtedly the Main Stadium in the north of Kaohsiung City.
The whole construction of the Main Stadium, with a capacity of 40,000 seats, designed by Toyo Ito, only required two years of work, and was finally tested for lighting facilities on January 15, 2009. It took over six minutes to power up the lighting in the stadium, which illuminates the track and field with 3,300 lux. Two jumbotrons screens on each side of the stadium, along with a surround sounding system, make this an international standard soccer field and facility, ensuring that it is the perfect venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the Rugby 7s and Flying Disc events.
The City of Kaohsiung is particularly proud of this project. During the construction period, no site accidents occurred, while the construction crew successfully overcame the technical difficulties presented by installing spiral steel girders and 8,844 solar panels on the roof.
Moreover, this stadium is notable for its eco-friendliness: the solar panels on the stadium roof generate 1.14 million kWh of electricity per year, thus reducing 660 tons of annual carbon dioxide output. In addition, all the raw materials used in the main stadium are 100% reusable and made in Taiwan.
The World Games Stadium is not only a breakthrough of construction techniques, but also different from the traditionally enclosed stadiums; the open design of the stadium signifies a cordial welcome with cheerful greeting. Furthermore, the planning of the stadium is oriented at north-south direction, with a slight northwest-southeast 15-degree angle; the spiral conforms to the open "C" shape of the stadium. Such design allows the main spectator stand efficiently shelter the field from the southwestern summer wind and the northwestern winter wind. At the same time, such orientation shelters from sunlight, thus providing a more comfortable sport environment.
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Source of Kaohsiung Main Stadium(高雄世運主場館)
