Coventry man unveils Ricoh Arena replica - made with 45,000 toothpicks

[dutchman]

A forklift truck driver spent 900 hours creating a model of the iconic stadium



A Coventry man who recreates iconic sporting venues out of toothpicks has unveiled his latest model – and it’s a little closer to home.

Shaminder Singh, 34, from Wyken, has created a miniature version of the Ricoh Arena using 45,000 toothpicks.

It took the dedicated forklift driver around 900 hours over a six-month period to create the model - which is equivalent to five hours a day every day.

It has been constructed by mainly using toothpicks, super glue and varnish, although plastic was used for the roof and electrics and lighting for the floodlights.

The signs were also made and imported from India.

Shaminder has hit the headlines in the past for his bold reconstructions of Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Old Trafford and a cricket stadium.

Impressed by what he saw, Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Tony Skipper, approached Shaminder last year to ask if he would recreate the Ricoh Arena in time for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Fundraising Dinner.

Shaminder duly obliged, and even took time off work to complete the project in time to present it to Cllr Skipper at the event, which was also held at the Ricoh Arena.

The model will raise money for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, which is also a charity partner of Wasps.