Latest news with #Ramboll
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Wrexham: How One Stadium Project Eliminated The Construction Inefficiency Problem
Hollywood star power and historic sports culture fueled the revival of a stadium for Wrexham Association Football Club in Wales. The fusion of digital maps and 3D models charted the course. When actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought the club in 2021, Wrexham's Racecourse Ground—the oldest international football stadium still in use—needed repair. They made modernizing the beloved venue a top priority. With the celebrity owners documenting their efforts in an FX docuseries, the stadium played a lead character. At the heart of the ambitious construction project: a bold vision for the club's future, grounded in respect for its past. To balance innovation and tradition, Ramboll, an engineering and architecture firm, carefully reviewed every decision using advanced mapping and modeling. With the stadium embedded in existing neighborhood infrastructure and adjacent to active rail lines, any design misstep risked undermining community support, a crucial element of the project's viability. Ramboll needed to fit a new Kop stand into the existing neighborhood layout. They did this through a fusion of two powerful technologies: geographic information system (GIS) and building information modeling (BIM) software. By combining GIS-powered maps and 3D BIM models, project teams created dynamic visualizations of the site, surrounding area, and planned upgrades. These digital environments became a shared source of truth. Data moved freely between the two platforms, bringing models to life with rich environmental details. Traditionally, the firm's design and environmental teams worked in isolation. Each used specialized tools that didn't easily share information. By merging maps and models, they streamlined collaboration. Environmental staff could collect data right from the site and link it directly to the BIM tools used by designers. This opened new ways to share information and formed connections that didn't exist in prior workflows. The benefits went beyond saving time. Designers could bring multiple building models into one place. They could see how everything on the stadium site—from pipes to pathways—fit together. That big-picture view helped them fine-tune designs to match what was already on the ground. In turn, they could avoid conflicts before they arose, making the whole project smarter and smoother. Creating Essential Contextual Insights For the designers and construction teams tasked with developing the new 5,500-person-capacity Kop stand, integrating detailed maps and sophisticated building models provided significant advantages. Previously, design teams worked in isolation, viewing building models without understanding how they fit into the real world. They would miss critical interactions with existing infrastructure, terrain, and utilities. By combining building designs with geographic data, teams could anticipate problems before construction began. They designed for water drainage, traffic flow, and sustainability features like solar panels and stormwater management. They reduced costly surprises and enabled resilient infrastructure planning. Overall, the key benefit is that teams moved from reactive problem-solving to pro-active risk mitigation. They integrated environmental and operational considerations from day one rather than discovering conflicts during construction. A Hollywood Tale of Community Rebirth Wrexham's transformation extends far beyond the stadium. It's driving a citywide economic revitalization that's reshaping an entire Welsh community. 'They're looking at transport, regeneration of the city center, and the non-match-day amenities that include a hotel, retail shops, and room for offices,' said Sarah Widdowfield, UK and Ireland digital hub manager at Ramboll. When Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the struggling club in 2020, they brought not just financial resources but also marketing expertise. Wrexham AFC has steadily progressed from the fifth tier of English football to the EFL Championship (the second tier). Driving the success is increased financial investment, a global fan base surge, and the 'Welcome to Wrexham' television series. The impact of the actors' involvement is 'probably as much on the business side as it is stoking the passion for the Red Dragons,' Widdowfield said. In April 2025, Wrexham became the first team in English football history to win back-to-back-to-back league promotions, bringing even more civic pride to the historic mining community. As Wrexham continues to flourish, technology can help it grow in a way that's respectful of the past and intentional about the more about how architecture, engineering, and construction businesses can use GIS for smarter planning, development, and operation management.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cedarburg defers decision on studying the Woolen Mills Dam repair or removal
The future of Cedarburg's Woolen Mills dam along Cedar Creek will remain an open question after the Cedarburg Common Council June 9 declined to assess whether to remove it or renovate it. For years, the council has found itself circling back to the dam, weighing whether to front growing repair costs and preserve it as a symbol of the community's early settlement days. Residents on the other side of the coin support removing the dam, and with it, eliminate cyclical repair costs, flood risks, detriments to the creek's ecosystem and an aging public nuisance that's not a true historical landmark, they say. A 2024 analysis by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources classified the dam under its significant hazard label, meaning failure could cause significant property damage in the city's downtown area situated downstream. But for years, city discussions have not resulted in any action on either side. On June 9, the council again discussed whether to approve a roughly $60,000 feasibility study by Inter-Fluve, Inc. to assess options for removing or repairing the structure. However, after minimal discussion, the council didn't take action on the study, seeking to wait for updated cost estimates on repairing the dam before deciding. In 2020, repairs were estimated at $800,000, with around half of the cost offset by funds from the DNR's Municipal Dam Grant Program. But decisions on those repairs were kicked down the road. Five years later, the cost is likely higher. The updated cost estimate will likely come in during the fall after engineering firm Ramboll assesses the site, members of the council said. The city approved Ramboll's contract for the analysis in November of 2024. At the June 9 meeting, residents and experts spoke for and against paying for the study. Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn of Milwaukee Riverkeeper spoke about the benefits of removal, saying the dam is aging and in disrepair. At previous council meetings, she's explained that removing the dam would be cheaper for the city in the long run and healthier for the creek ecosystem. Cedarburg resident Chuck Buehler told council members that the intrinsic value of the dam is a very important part of the community's history and culture. He prepared a whole speech, and said he expected the council to disagree with him. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised by their rejection of the study. 'I wasted a week on this,' he said. Another resident, Marc Sanders, said the dam serves no purpose and isn't historic, since it was built after the Pioneer Era dams on Cedar Creek washed away. "You're just kicking the can down (the road)," Sanders said. "This is going to keep coming up, year after year. In 10 years, 20 years, 100 years, you're going to have to keep fixing and replacing these dams. It's not a good use of funds." "The creek was beautiful before the dams, it's beautiful after the dams, and it would be beautiful without the dams through the city of Cedarburg," he said. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@ Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cedarburg puts off decision on Woolen Mills Dam repair or removal
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cedarburg defers decision on studying the Woolen Mills Dam repair or removal
The future of Cedarburg's Woolen Mills dam along Cedar Creek will remain an open question after the Cedarburg Common Council June 9 declined to assess whether to remove it or renovate it. For years, the council has found itself circling back to the dam, weighing whether to front growing repair costs and preserve it as a symbol of the community's early settlement days. Residents on the other side of the coin support removing the dam, and with it, eliminate cyclical repair costs, flood risks, detriments to the creek's ecosystem and an aging public nuisance that's not a true historical landmark, they say. A 2024 analysis by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources classified the dam under its significant hazard label, meaning failure could cause significant property damage in the city's downtown area situated downstream. But for years, city discussions have not resulted in any action on either side. On June 9, the council again discussed whether to approve a roughly $60,000 feasibility study by Inter-Fluve, Inc. to assess options for removing or repairing the structure. However, after minimal discussion, the council didn't take action on the study, seeking to wait for updated cost estimates on repairing the dam before deciding. In 2020, repairs were estimated at $800,000, with around half of the cost offset by funds from the DNR's Municipal Dam Grant Program. But decisions on those repairs were kicked down the road. Five years later, the cost is likely higher. The updated cost estimate will likely come in during the fall after engineering firm Ramboll assesses the site, members of the council said. The city approved Ramboll's contract for the analysis in November of 2024. At the June 9 meeting, residents and experts spoke for and against paying for the study. Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn of Milwaukee Riverkeeper spoke about the benefits of removal, saying the dam is aging and in disrepair. At previous council meetings, she's explained that removing the dam would be cheaper for the city in the long run and healthier for the creek ecosystem. Cedarburg resident Chuck Buehler told council members that the intrinsic value of the dam is a very important part of the community's history and culture. He prepared a whole speech, and said he expected the council to disagree with him. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised by their rejection of the study. 'I wasted a week on this,' he said. Another resident, Marc Sanders, said the dam serves no purpose and isn't historic, since it was built after the Pioneer Era dams on Cedar Creek washed away. "You're just kicking the can down (the road)," Sanders said. "This is going to keep coming up, year after year. In 10 years, 20 years, 100 years, you're going to have to keep fixing and replacing these dams. It's not a good use of funds." "The creek was beautiful before the dams, it's beautiful after the dams, and it would be beautiful without the dams through the city of Cedarburg," he said. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@ Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cedarburg puts off decision on Woolen Mills Dam repair or removal
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Data centres left waiting for grid connections and sharing home EV chargers
Fifteen data centres around the State have been waiting for up to three years for decisions on getting connected to the national gas grid, writes Hugh Dooley. That comes as senior industry executive Peter Lantry warns a number of Irish retail data centres are nearing maximum capacity or 'going dark'. Sticking with energy, Ciara O'Brien writes that electric vehicle charging company EasyGo and the Department of Transport are rolling out a pilot programme that will see homeowners paid to share off-street car chargers with neighbours and members of the public. Eoin Burke-Kennedy has winkled out figures that show Ireland is the second-largest destination worldwide for exports from Israel . The 2024 figures from UN data, broadly by the Central Statstics Office, provide, he writes, a curious counterpoint to the frayed diplomatic relations between Dublin and Tel Aviv. From one controversy to another – the never-ending will it/won't it argument about Dublin's Metrolink project. Danish engineering group Ramboll, which is already working with Dublin Airport and on an EV infrastructure consultancy project for Government, says it would be interested in bidding for work on any Dublin metro project. Barry O'Halloran reports. READ MORE The world of work is increasingly competitive but even by that standard, reports that as many as 57 per cent of US workers made redundant in the past two years received the news by email or phone comes as a surprise. Pilita Clark considers it brutal and unacceptable. A scheme allowing private citizens to invest some of the €143 billion they hold on deposit in banks into housing development through a State-backed investment vehicle should be considered by Government, the incoming president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland says, adding the current level of public investment in housing is 'unsustainable'. Separately, a report from recruiter Excel, says Ireland is making a mistake in dragging short-term and seasonal workers into the State's pension auto-enrolmen t programme. It says changes are needed to make the scheme more user friendly. Finally, an Opinion piece by Dan Pender looks at the challenge between those driving advances in artificial intelligence and those charged with regulating the technology. If you'd like to read more about the issues that affect your finances try signing up to On the Money , the weekly newsletter from our personal finance team, which will be issued every Friday to Irish Times subscribers.
Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Engineering consultancy Ramboll interested in Metrolink bid
Engineering consultancy Ramboll has expressed an interest in bidding for work on the Dublin metro , the proposed rail line connecting the city centre with its airport , says one of the firm's executives. Denmark-based Ramboll specialises in transport development among other areas and is involved in work for the Government and State airports company, DAA . Ann Gordon, the firm's market director for transport in the UK and Ireland, says Ramboll would be interested in working on Metrolink, as the project is now known. 'There is no doubt that we would want to be involved with a project like Metrolink,' Ms Gordon said. READ MORE The Government has pledged that the project, debated for decades, is going to happen. Transport Infrastructure Ireland 's plan, submitted to An Bord Pleanála , connects Charlemont on the capital's southside with Swords and north Co Dublin, via the city centre and the airport. It ties in the Luas, the Dart and existing rail services. However, the time taken to get this far with the project, a cost estimated at up to €23 billion and potential planning objections mean many are sceptical about the prospect of any Metrolink being completed by the 2035 target date. Ms Gordon says the proposed rail line was badly needed. 'When you arrive in Dublin Airport, what it's lacking is that connectivity with the centre of the capital,' she said. Dublin is one of the few European capital cities not to have a direct rail link with its airport. However, the number of buses serving the airport from the city and other centres has grown in recent years. The Ramboll executive also said that the 32 million a year passenger limit on Dublin Airport needs to be addressed. Legal action has suspended the limit, and the airport expects to handle about 36 million passengers this year, but the condition, imposed by planners in 2007 to control road traffic, remains in place. Ramboll works regularly with Dublin and Cork airports operator, DAA, as well as Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Government. The Department of Transport recently hired the company to advise on electric vehicle infrastructure. That work will involve comparisons with five other EU cities, financial analysis, procurement and risk assessments, the company has said. It is also working on the A5 dual carriageway, linking Derry with the N2 to Dublin. Ms Gordon is based in St Alban's in Britain but comes originally from Co Carlow, so is familiar with the transport challenges the State faces. Owned by the Ramboll Foundation and its workers, who have around 3 per cent of the business, Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering and consultancy business with operations in 35 countries. The company's key areas of expertise include building, transport, energy, environment, water management, architecture and landscape.
