November 18, 2008
McMaster’s Ronald V. Joyce Stadium scores construction touchdown before East-West Bowl
Hamilton’s Ronald V. Joyce Stadium officially opened its doors on September 19th, but contractor Vanbots Construction faced a tighter deadline in erecting the McMaster University structure.
On December 10, 2007, press releases announced that the stadium was selected to host the sixth annual Canadian Interuniversity Sport, East-West Bowl on May 10th.
“The East-West game was a bit of a surprise, and put on some additional pressure,” says Kevin Hobson, Project Manager for Vanbots. “We were already making up time because of a strike by operating engineers and a construction labourers’ strike that went on for an entire month. The winter was also the snowiest we’ve experienced in 40 years.”
The stadium was designed to accommodate 5,000 spectators in fixed seating, with capacity for additional seating using a portable system. The fixed seating was constructed using pre-cast concrete on steel beams because it was considered faster than pouring concrete during December and January.
“I guess the only thing that was a little different about this project was that the 300-space underground parking structure was located directly under the field,” says Hobson.
The artificial turf, a state-of-the-art hybrid playing surface with monofilament strands, was rolled out about three or four days ahead of the East-West game. The final touch was the erection of the goal posts. “We only had about a foot of soil coverage to set the posts, because the garage is only a foot beneath the turf,” says Hobson. “But the posts held up just fine.”
Completion of the $23-million stadium, designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc., represented the final phase of a major expansion by McMaster Athletics and Recreation. Vanbots was also awarded the construction management contract for the $30-million David Braley Athletics Centre, next door, which was completed in 2006. ..d– RCD Digital Media
| MOST POPULAR STORIES |
| CURRENT STORIES |
- Shane B. nears the finish line at St. Gabriel Village project
- Construction activity has slowed in Atlantic Canada, APEC report finds
- Hard Rock contracting companies fined over worker injuries
- Canadian economy heads south for the winter
- Regina con man gets more jail time for failure to pay fines
- Ontario’s apprentice ratio dispute continues to be split along union, non-union lines
| ALEX’S BLOG |
Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Alex Carrick discusses current developments in Canada's economic environment. He also shares light-hearted reflections on life and current events.
Economics Blog More 
- TYBA Projects (January 5, 2009)
- Ottawa’s Spending and Canada in Afghanistan (December 30, 2008)
- Canada’s Construction Starts through November Demonstrate the Drop in Business Confidence (December 23, 2008)
Lifestyle Blog More
- The Perils of Driving in the White Stuff (December 29, 2008)
- Economics Humour – Take my Dismal Science, Please (December 22, 2008)
| PROJECT NEWS BRIEFS |
Updates on Canadian construction projects from Reed Construction Data’s research team. More
- City of Thompson plans new water treatment plant (Dec 30, 2008)
- Quadrangle Architects begins working drawings for new phase of Downtown Markham development (Dec 16, 2008)
- Vanbots begins work on Thompson Rivers University’s House of Learning (Dec 16, 2008)
- Designs for new Corrections Canada office set to begin (Dec 15, 2008)
- Haastown Holdings ready to accept subtrade pricing for Waterscape phase one (Dec 15, 2008)
