WHAT: The Alaska Airlines Center is a 197,000 square foot multi-use facility that will house a 5,000-plus seat, gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, graduations, concerts and numerous community events. Included in the facility will be an auxiliary practice and performance gym for the gymnastics program, support space consisting of fitness and training rooms, administration and coaching offices, laundry, A/V production room, lockers and team rooms for the basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, skiing, track, cross country and hockey programs. State-of-the-art space for student athlete rehabilitation and treatment includes a hydrotherapy pool and plunge tanks. The facility will also house an outdoor patio with dramatic views of the Chugach Range and a restaurant, which is currently in the design phase.
WHERE: UAA main campus, 3550 Providence Drive
COST: Total Project Cost: $109.0 million
DESIGN/ARCHITECT: McCool Carlson Green, principal architect; Hastings and Chivetta, athletic design; AMC Engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers; BBFM, structural engineer; RandM, civil engineer; Sparling, A/V and acoustics engineer; Candela, lighting ; Stafford Design Group, food service; USKH, landscape architect
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc.
SUBCONTRACTORS: Civil engineer: GMC Contracting; Electrical/telecom systems: Alcan Electric and Engineering; Mechanical, wet-side systems: Udelhoven Oilfield System Services; Mechanical, dry-side systems: General Mechanical; Sprinkler system: Alaska Quality Fire Protection; Building automation: Siemens Industry; Reinforcing steel, Northern Reinforcing Placers; Finish and site concrete: Finishing Edge; Structural steel fabrication: Allied Steel; Steel erection: Swanson Steel Erectors; Concrete and pre-cast panels: Anchorage Sand and Gravel; Masonry: Simmons Masonry; Casework: JR Heritage; Waterproofing: Rain Proof Roofing; Roofing: Consolidated Enterprises; Doors and hardware: Summit Windows and Doors; Overhead doors: Door Systems of AK; Curtainwall and glazing: Alaska Glazing; Siding/insulated panels: Carve Construction; Taping/painting: Arthun Painting; Drywall: BEK of AK; Plaster: Bradshaw and Assoc.; Wood flooring: Alaskan Industries; Flooring/blinds/ceiling: Commercial Contractors; Lockers, Northern Office Supply; Food service equipment: Refrigeration and Food Equipment; Elevators: Otis Elevator; Paving: McKenna Brothers; Landscaping: Green Earth; Fixed and telescoping seating: Irwin Seating; Sports A/V: Daktronics.
WHY: UAA's current athletic and recreation facility was built more than 35 years ago when UAA had significantly fewer students and was only a commuter campus. With the addition of residence halls and more competitive sports, the use-demand for the current facility far exceeded availability and space. The Alaska Airlines Center has been designed to meet the needs of a growing community, and will provide high-demand space for a wide range of athletic and cultural, community events.
WHEN: Project completion is scheduled for July, with the grand opening in September.
Information compiled by Joy Guest collaboration with UAA Facilities and Campus Services staff. Have you driven by a construction project lately in Anchorage, Eagle River or the Mat-Su Valley and wondered "What is that going to be?" It might be a potential candidate for this feature. If you have a project to suggest, call Joy Guest at 257-4315 or email, jguest@adn.com.
Building Anchorage -- Alaska Airlines Center
Anchorage Daily News