FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – UCF Athletics is excited to announce that a contractor/architect selection has been made for the baseball stadium expansion. Skanska USA Building, Inc. and DLR Group will serve as the design-build team that will perform all design and construction services for the project. The project will be phased with the initial segment beginning this fall with completion by the 2012 season.
“We are extremely excited to begin the expansion of our baseball complex and partner with two outstanding firms,” head baseball coach Terry Rooney said. “The upcoming renovations are essential in the continued growth of our program. In the last three years we have positioned ourselves back in the upper echelon of college baseball and these improvements will have a tremendous impact on our path to the postseason.”
The initial phase will include the addition of approximately 1,100 bench-back bleacher seats located above the main concourse along the first base line. The project will also include an expansion to the existing restroom buildings. Phase II, scheduled to begin following the 2012 season, will add an elevated deck above the existing concourse to provide a new modern press box, a 150-seat club, four individual suites and an outdoor covered terrace. 1,200 additional bench-back seats, new restrooms, concessions booths, and a children’s activity area are also part of the plan. The plan will bring stadium capacity to over 3,000 seats with additional berm seating areas.
Skanska and DLR Group have teamed on several projects in the Orlando area and nationally with major collegiate and minor league stadium ventures. A sample of projects that either one or both have directed include University of Texas’ Disch Falk Field renovation, University of Oregon’s PK Park, University of Nebraska’s Hawks Filed at Haymarket Park, Texas A&M’s Olsen Field expansion, LSU’s Alex Box Stadium, Penn State’s Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and several professional minor league parks. DLR Group designed the original Jay Bergman Field
“Our baseball program has made great strides recently and it is exciting to partner with two very experienced firms to help us transform our baseball park,” said David Hansen, Sr. Associate Athletics Director. “It’s time that we make substantial upgrades to this facility. Our intent is to be Orlando’s home for baseball. We certainly have the product and will soon have the facility to compliment. We will continue to call on alumni and baseball fans in central Florida to help us make this a reality.”
