Time running out for Brazil's World Cup stadia
The organising committee for next year's football world cup in Brazil is coming under increased pressure to come up with a 'plan B' for some of the intended tournament venues.
A number of stadium construction projects are badly behind schedule and the flagship project - Arena Corinthians in Sao Paolo, due to host the first game of the World Cup - suffered a tragic blow on Wednesday (27 November) when a large crane collapsed and crashed through the structure. Two construction workers were killed and a number of others were injured in the incident.
Arena Corinthians now joins a long list of Brazil 2014 venues that have been severely delayed due to a spate of building problems, public protests and staff strikes due to complaints over working conditions.
In 2011, around 1,500 construction staff working on the redevelopment of the Maracana stadium went on strike following an on-site explosion, which left one worker seriously injured.
The Vivaldao stadium in Manaus and the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba are believed to be the worst affected by delays, with the most optimistic predictions seeing the latter being fully operational "sometime in March or April".
World governing body FIFA had previously set a "strict deadline" of 31 December for all 12 World Cup stadiums to be completed - a feat that the organising committee admits is now simply unachievable.
For venues to adhere to FIFA's World Cup guidelines, a number of test events need to be organised and undertaken to try out access controls, safety and evacuation procedures.
A 'plan B' to solve the issues could see already scheduled games being rescheduled to other stadiums - and some venues being taken off the list of World Cup stadiums completely.
There are murmurs among FIFA executives that the difficulties in getting the stadiums ready in time are, at least in part, self-inflicted.
FIFA guidelines are that a minimum of eight stadiums are needed to host a World Cup, but the Brazilian organisers decided to go with 12 due to the interest and demand from across the country to get involved in the tournament.
The first game of the World Cup, at the Arena Corinthians, is scheduled to take place on 12 June with the final being played at the Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on 13 July.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson