McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle: Roof Upgrade

The McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle is a popular venue, hosting everything from major sporting events to live concerts. When it came time to upgrade the roof, the team at Apex Facades took on the challenge. Thanks to smart planning and the installation of safety nets, we completed the job without disrupting a single event on the stadium’s busy calendar.

The challenges of working on a major stadium

Stadium roofs are complex structures, built to withstand high winds, rain, and constant exposure to the elements. For a venue like McDonald Jones Stadium, regular upgrades are essential to maintain its safety and functionality. But working on a large-scale public structure like this presents unique challenges: from limited access and tight timeframes to ensuring safety compliance at every step.

Making it a little more challenging, this project was also fly-in-fly-out. As a remote site, it required detailed logistical planning to ensure every element was delivered and executed smoothly. We had to decide on the team, manage crew responsibilities, organise accommodation, and ship in all rigging equipment via trucks and vans. 

Regular check-ins with the team ensured the project stayed on track, and if something wasn’t working, we adjusted quickly to keep things moving along.

The importance of safety nets

When you’re working at heights, especially on an elevated, exposed structure like a stadium roof, safety is the number one priority. The installation of tensioned safety nets was essential, not just as fall protection, but as an innovative solution that doubled as a stable working platform.

These nets were securely tensioned and repositioned as the project progressed, allowing our technicians to move safely across large areas. Once in place, the nets gave us a surface stable enough to walk on, almost like a trampoline, making them a practical and flexible alternative to traditional scaffolding.

High stakes at high elevations

Working at height brings additional challenges, especially in a coastal city like Newcastle, where weather conditions can change quickly. Wind, rain, and temperature shifts had to be factored into every stage of the job. Our rope access technicians carefully planned how to move safely across the stadium’s roofline, carrying out the necessary upgrades with minimal disruption to stadium operations.

Remote job, real-time communication

Remote projects like this one depend on strong, real-time communication. With the team flying in and out, consistent check-ins ensured everyone stayed informed, whether it was tracking progress, resolving onsite issues, or adjusting plans to align with the project scope and budget.

At Apex Facades, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and adaptive team. We’re used to thinking on the spot and changing things as needed to align with the quote and timeline, never compromising on safety or quality.

Apex Facades – Delivering long-term solutions

Upgrading a stadium roof isn’t just about materials and manpower. It’s about delivering a long-term solution. Every detail matters, from selecting the right equipment to ensuring the safety nets integrated with the existing roof structure. 

At Apex Facades, we’re proud to be trusted with projects like the McDonald Jones Stadium roof upgrade. Delivering work of this scale showcases our capability to manage complex logistics, deploy skilled technicians, and demonstrate the highest standards of safety from start to finish.