Field design taking shape
<p>This rendering of the final grandstand concept demonstrates the pillar placement and receded press box that help define the new stands. (Illustration courtesy CTA ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS)</p>
SANDPOINT — Brick by brick, the Memorial Field restoration design is taking shape.
James A. Sewell and Associates engineers met Wednesday with the Sandpoint City Council, bringing with them a Memorial Field layout and grandstand design that offers increased seating, durable brick and concrete materials and a gateway that will simultaneously provide security, aesthetic value and major donor recognition.
Much of the discussion centered on the entry gateway, which will consist of a forecourt and interior plaza. The forecourt, with its frontage facing Ontario Street, will provide many opportunities to recognize donors, engineers said. This could include engraved bricks, plaques, a sculpture inscribed with donor names, or even a marquee on the gateway sign bearing the name of a major donor. Given that the bulk of Memorial Field restoration funds will likely come from private donations, all options are worth considering, Mayor Carrie Logan said.
“If we’re going after big money, which is the plan, there has to be a way to reward that (contribution) in terms of recognition,” she added.
The restoration project will likely rely on materials like brick and split-face concrete arranged in a color scheme yet to be decided. These materials are known for durability and long life spans. At the same time, they provide opportunity to reflect upon the field’s historic nature, according to project planners.
As for the grandstands, engineers struck upon a design that comes close to achieving the city’s preferred 1,500-seat structure. At 1,474 seats altogether with 14 Americans with Disabilities Act-approved wheelchair seats, the design falls slightly short of capacity specifications, but it also provides a design simplicity that will be easier to construct and fund, engineers said.
The stands consist of three seating areas with seat lengths of 48 feet in the outer sections and 60 feet in the center section. Individual seats are 10 inches wide and allow for 18 inches of aisle clearance. The stands are centered along the 50-yard line of the field and will reduce the number of roof support pillars, allowing for more open views of the action. To account for the larger grandstand footprint, the existing locker room and showers will be moved under the grandstands, where they will be accessible using a rear walkway.
Council members also signed off on a press box design inset into the grandstand and under 500 square feet in size. According to James A. Sewell personnel, the size restrictions are primarily to avoid bumping up ADA requirements to include an elevator and other large expenses.