The construction on the new Cardinals Stadium in the West Valley remains on schedule as planned. The stadium will be a bold and innovative sporting venue sure to be unique not only in the Valley but will be a multi-purpose facility unlike any in the world. The $480 million state-of-the-art complex, set to open for the 2006 NFL season, is already picking up global attention and is certain to become a landmark in Arizona.
"The architecture of the stadium and everything else the fans will experience in the new stadium are really things that are going to compliment the game day experience," said Cardinals Vice President and General Counsel Michael Bidwill. "I've been working on this stadium from day one and I couldn't be more excited. "The design of the building is exceeding my expectations from the initial designs. Some of the things the architects put into their drawings really didn't translate well on paper but now that they have built it you can see their vision."
Over the past few months several milestones have been reached in the construction process. Currently there is a workforce of approximately 600 that continue are constructing one of the boldest pieces of architecture in the world.
"Over the next two months Hunt Construction is going to completely enclose the stadium but now it is getting to the point where you can really see the form and the terrific design is taking place not only from the outside but from the inside," added Bidwill. "It is something really unique and views will be enjoyed from the outside but from the inside as well."
The fixed stadium seating in the lower bowl in well underway, and fans can look forward to having individual seats with backs and cup holders, offering for the first time a level of comfort and sight lines for Cardinal football as well as other events in the facility.
The Lofts at Cardinals Stadium have been designed to provide a "one of a kind" sports and entertainment experience in the NFL. Fans will enjoy incredible views to the field in a unique stadium environment. The Stadium Lofts will be well appointed with the finest amenities, services, and benefits of any sports venue in the country. The lofts that feature cutting edge technology, flat screen television monitors as well as a private restroom are currently being painted and the cabinetry is also being installed.
In addition, the elevators and escalators on the east side of the stadium are being installed. The stadium roof membrane is about well over half complete and the exterior walls and curtain wall glass continues to go up and should be complete by years end.
The new Cardinals stadium will also feature a unique rollout natural-grass playing field, contained in a single tray weighing 17 million pounds. The tray measures 234 feet wide by 403 feet deep by 3 feet high. It is estimated to be able to move indoors from the natural sunlight in 45 minutes, approximately a rate of 15 feet per minute. The retractable field construction is making progress daily and work on the field foundations and rails are moving along on the inside of the stadium.
"When people look back twenty, thirty years from now I think they will realize this building has a timeless design," Bidwill predicts. "There were people that wanted to cut the high design element out but we as a family, and as a team, felt it was important and were committed to taking this stadium's architectural elements to another level. I think we have something that has a very forward looking, modern design that will carry on for decades here in the Valley."
To view the most recent aerial pictures and construction photos of the stadium Click here )
