by: Pacific Corrugated Pipe Co
It was a fast and furious 17 months into the winter of 2002, but the blades are on the ice at the Gila River Arena, the home of the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes.
The construction team, led by Perini Building Company, wrapped up the 18,000-seat arena in time for the Coyotes to begin playing in December 2003. Apache Pipelines served as the underground utility contractor who was responsible for the installation of the pipe.
Although slowed by weather that dumped more rain in 10 days than Phoenix saw in all of 2002, contractors were able to complete the project on time.
“To my knowledge, this is the fastest project ever designed and constructed for an NBA or NHL arena,” said architect Jack Boyle, project manager for Kansas City, Mo.-based HOK Sport + Venue + Event.
“There’s a triangle we have to deal with, whether it is budget driven, schedule driven or quality driven, it depends on the owner’s priorities. This project is driven by all three.”
The preliminary job design utilized a concrete slab & liner system.
Spiral rib pipe was incorporated for use as the main trunk line for conveyance of storm water from the detention pipe systems to the open retention area while utilizing both the storage capacity and hydraulics of spiral rib pipe.
A 6” minimum benign envelope around the pipe using pea gravel was incorporated to abate the poor resistivity readings that periodically occurred at this site.
This job consisted of 6300 LF of CSP and 3200 LF of spiral rib pipe including several large tees, elbows, & misc. fittings.
The arena sits on 15.1 acres of a 60-acre footprint, with approximately 40 acres of on-grade asphalt parking lots.
For more information on this project contact Tim Hahn at [email protected] or visit Pacific Corrugated Pipe by clicking here.