Award of Merit, Sports/Entertainment: U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium East Club Renovation & Addition

U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Stadium East Club Renovation & Addition

Colorado Springs

Award of Merit

Submitted by DPR Construction

Owner U.S. Air Force Academy Athletic Corp.

Lead Design Firm & Structural Engineer HKS

General Contractor DPR Construction

Civil Engineer Matrix Design Group

MEP Engineer M-E Engineers

Owner’s Representative Nation’s Group

Falcon Stadium’s east concourse has been replaced with the new East Club, which features 1,200 premium seats and a state-of-the-art club-level experience. Work included a modernized entrance, heritage plaza, open-air hospitality decks, new administrative office areas, significantly expanded restrooms and a new VIP entrance and lobby.

To keep the stadium fully operational for football games, commencements and other major events while construction progressed, the team turned to an unusual phasing strategy that allowed crews to set structural steel and place lower bowl concrete before the season began, enabling safe public access through active construction zones.

Almost 10% over budget in the early stages due to concept-based estimates, the project underwent value engineering at 75% design to bring it back in line without sacrificing key elements.

A complex demolition and abatement of the old facilities and a section of the existing lower concrete seating bowl caused some delays and resulted in additional scope that called for clever sequencing. And before foundation work could proceed, and in order to stay in line with historic preservation requirements, the team had to gain congressional approval.

Completing the facade required a custom-rated scaffold system capable of supporting large equipment and multiple trades simultaneously. At peak activity, up to 12 lifts operated in close proximity on the same elevation. Daily lift plans and detailed schedules ensured worker safety and cross-disciplinary collaboration.