Anticipated project end date:
The building will be finished by the 12th of August 2009. Fit out of the Our ramp builder engineer Andreas Schuetzenberger will build the indoor ramps in October 2009, due to other commitments in the meantime.
Progress:
The project has made rapid and consistent progress from conception to the almost completed construction phase that we are now in. The only remaining works is the construction of the offices on the second floor and finishing of the floor in the skateboarding area.
There have been no delays and the only change made from the plan is that the building has been placed at right angles to what was originally planned. It was necessary to change the orientation of the building as the National Olympic Committee had not allowed enough land around the building for planned landscaping works with the original building orientation. The final orientation of the building is superior in terms of security as it has less of a profile to the nearest main road and there is more space on all sides.
As it is important that we have a very smooth finish on the floor we will coat the floor with industrial floor plaster. This is a new process that is not common in Afghanistan and has yet to begin.
For the inside fit-out of the building, we are still in the process of sourcing suitable plywood for the final layer of the skate ramps. The quality of plywood found so far in Kabul is not sufficient for our needs and we are hoping to source suitable wood from Russia.
All other construction materials used, building techniques and the finish of the works has been of high quality, compared with what is usual in Afghanistan. In short, we are very happy with the construction company Afghan Yar Construction Co. Ltd since they have treated the building of facility for Skateistan as a flagship project for the company. As such they are investing much time and effort to get all details right and have consulted Skateistan on a regular basis.
PROJECT REPORT for FINAL DISBURSEMENT TO SKATEISTAN
Date: 18th November 09
Project name: Skateistan
Project start date: June 2009
Anticipated project end date: The building was officially finished on the 29th of October. The ramps were all built between 18th-25th of October, 2009. We are currently upgrading the floor and this should be finished by the 8th of December, 2009.
Design team:
Oliver Percovich, Director, Skateistan
Andreas Schuetzenberger, IOU Ramps
Engineer Moheen, Afghanyar Construction Company Limited
Engineer Reza, Afghan National Olympic Committee
Project partners:
Federal Foreign Office, Government of Germany
Norwegian Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan
Danish Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan
Canadian Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan
IOU Ramps, Germany
Afghanistan National Olympic Committee
Convic Design, Australia
Progress:
The sports and education complex officially opened on the 29th of October.
Once finished, we decided to upgrade the floor of the skate area by laying down a marble surface as the concrete was breaking up and the hall became very dusty when many children skate at one time. Upgrading the floor also improves safety as sliding on a smooth surface means that impact is lessened in the case of falling off a skateboard. Marble was chosen as it is a cheap and available material in Afghanistan, it is an excellent surface to ride a skateboard on and locally available labor has considerable expertise in laying marble.
All furniture is now in place and classes have commenced.
The finish of the works has been of high quality and we are very happy with the finished building. The outdoor area around the facility is currently being designed by Convic Design in conjunction with the National Olympic Committee. It is expected to cost 100,000 USD. We are currently looking for donors for construction of the outdoor area.