Fabrication Finesse: Gate’s Ticket To Colts Stadium

Swarming the gates of the new Lucas Oil Stadium, fans of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts will encounter an insulated, brick-inlay architectural precast faade

Swarming the gates of the new Lucas Oil Stadium, fans of NFL’s Indianapolis Colts will encounter an insulated, brick-inlay architectural precast fa¡ade provided by Jacksonville, Fla.-based Gate Precast Co. Awarded a contract by the Indiana Stadium and Convention Building Authority to produce the stadium’s precast exterior system, Gate devised an economic building solution based on consultation during the design phase with lead architect HKS, Inc., Dallas.

The project will require over 400,000 sq. ft. (1,953 units) of Indiana limestone architectural precast featuring blasted accents and embedded brick. As the system’s rapid installation does not compromise its clean lines and exacting detail, construction time and cost savings are anticipated. Throughout the entire service life of the structure, furthermore, preinsulated sandwich panels will maximize energy efficiency and reduce the possibility of condensation and mold. Additionally, prestressed panels allow longer spans Û another cost-saving characteristic of the system.

Project manager Hunt Construction Group reports that building is progressing on schedule. According to local television news sources, concrete foundations and perimeter walls are taking shape, and rebar is being tied for four super-column footings, which will provide the main support for the roof structure.

Delivery of precast from Gate’s Ashland City, Tenn., facility is scheduled for mid-August 2006. Construction spanning roughly 56 weeks is expected to reach completion in September 2007.