Huge steel frames are altering Swansea 's skyline as the building framework is put in place for the new indoor arena and nearby multi-storey car park.
The steel frames started going up on April 20 and are part of the council’s £135m Swansea Central phase one transformation scheme.
Swansea Council said building work was being carried out in "innovative ways" to comply with coronavirus guidelines.
The scheme comprises the 3,500-capacity indoor arena, and an adjacent coastal park. These developments will sit above a large car park.
A new pedestrian bridge over Oystermouth Road will link this site to a new multi-storey car park and a building containing 15 retail units and 36 flats.
It is all due to open in the second half of next year.
The arena’s framework is taking shape on the site of the former Oystermouth Road car park and the multi-storey car park frame is being built on the site of the former St Mary’s ground level car park.
The central element of the new car park stands at 24 metres tall and towers over the neighbouring Quadrant multi-storey car park.
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “It’s encouraging to see the skyline evolving. This shows that progress is being made with this scheme that will help transform Swansea.
“As the days and weeks go on much more steel work will go up. Something special is emerging from this key site.
“We’ve always said the arena is a key catalyst to regenerate Swansea and the region, and now - post-lockdown - it will be an even more key icon and catalyst for recovery.
“I thank the workers there – including many from South Wales and the steel frame specialists themselves – for making progress whilst working to latest guidelines. They are keeping this significant scheme safe and advancing well at this difficult time.”
Work on the arena site by main contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd has continued during the recent period of restrictions, in line with Government and industry guidance which allows construction to continue.
Safety posters are said to be on show around the site.
The steel frame workers themselves, a team of up to 28, travelled from Scotland to do the work. To comply with social distancing guidelines, they travelled in pairs as is permitted under the guidance. During the work, they are living in Swansea at 14 private rented accommodation addresses in those same pairs - and they work on site, also in those pairs.
They have staggered start, break and finish times. They have daily briefings about their work and coronavirus measures to help keep numbers down at any one time in any location on site, according to the council.
Guidance being followed includes that from the government as well as industry bodies: the Construction Leadership Council and the British Constructional Steelwork Association.
Mr Stewart added: “The arena scheme is a transformational regeneration project that’s key to delivering a 21st Century Swansea. Once the crisis is over we will all be able to enjoy it.
“It’s good to see firms from Wales and elsewhere benefiting from the investment. I’m grateful them for their continuing efforts in Swansea. “We are assured they are working carefully on the site, in line with government guidance.”
Tim Wood, Buckingham Group Contracting’s project director on site, said: “It’s good to see hundreds of tons of steel going up so swiftly, efficiently and safely. The framework is a highly visible and positive step in this incredible project.
“BGCL has strong measures in place to protect its employees, clients and suppliers. Full risk assessments are carried out for those on site and actions undertaken include social distancing where safe and practical – in line with latest guidance.”
