It’s Super Bowl weekend! Football is the most popular sport in North America, and fans love learning about the players and teams. But what about where the game takes place – the stadium? Stadium construction is one of the most thought-out pieces of infrastructure. It takes more than you may think, so let’s breakdown some of the most important factors in stadium construction. (Cover Photo: SportingNews.Com)
Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan (Andrew Potter)
Sustainability
Sustainability plays a big role, especially in construction costs. Ford Field in Detroit is recognized for being environmentally friendly as the turf is completely made from 25,000 recycled tires, the ceiling and frame contains 30 million pounds of recycled metal, and the elevators are bamboo. Being a ‘green’ stadium also has benefits for the surrounding community. Mercedes-Benz Stadium can hold 680,000 gallons of rainwater, which is used to irrigate the surrounding landscape, and it helps limit flooding in the surrounding neighborhood.
Electrical
Electrical needs vary for events, but all events need lights (cameras, action)! At hockey games, the lights could emit too much heat and begin to melt the ice. Instead, hockey stadiums use LED lighting as it’s more energy efficient, and makes the ice appear brighter. Additionally, LED lights can be shut off quickly for dramatics, while regular lights take time to fully darken. Artificial turf can also become too hot, sometimes reaching a surface temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit when sunny. Even though it’s more sustainable, it’s not ideal for warm climates. For real grass fields, however, water costs are heightened as the grass requires a water content above 60%.
The Astrodome in Houston provided shelter for 25,000 Hurricane Katrina Victims.
Location
A stadium’s location makes a HUGE difference! In major cities, space is limited for construction. Approvals are needed before construction can begin due to legalities of the city and zoning. Events also affect the location due to plumbing, lighting, and heating/cooling that will be needed. The variety of events also factors in as a quiet neighborhood doesn’t want to hear girls screaming for Justin Bieber at midnight. Something that is, unfortunately, uncontrollable is Mother Nature. Contractors need to think about the cost of potential repairs, and possible rebuilding in high-risk areas, such as Tornado Alley, coast lines, and earthquakes.
Adaptability
While SoFi Stadium will be used for the Super Bowl in 2022, that’s not the stadium’s only use. This year, SoFi is hosting The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, multiple concerts, and WrestleMania! Similarly, basketball court stadiums are used for hockey games! Stadiums have also been utilized for providing shelter during natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, and even COVID-19. When the sport changes from ice to hardwood, or the spectators are homeless citizens, the stadium needs to adapt quickly to sudden changes.
Laux and Sport Construction
Although we haven’t built a stadium, we have been part of many projects involving sports facilities and athletic fields. Below is a gallery showcasing some of the amazing projects we have completed thus far. Many of us never think about where we’re sitting while watching our favorite sports teams. Next time you’re cheering at the game, spend halftime looking around the stadium. You will be sitting in an infrastructure wonder and truly appreciate everything that goes into the sport. If you’ve enjoyed reading, share this blog to your friends and family by clicking the icons below. Feel free to also leave a comment with topics you’d like to hear about in future blogs!
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