DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Bauer : Major venues are a multi-year process from the initial planning , bidding and drawing of reviews to the production and installation of products and the facility opening . At Sightline Commercial Solutions , we pride ourselves on getting involved early in the process , even before we are awarded a contract . Oftentimes , architects of major sports venues know what they want , but don ’ t know how to achieve their goals . We work closely with those architects to help bring their visions to reality and provide guidance on the best approach . We see ourselves as a partner rather than just another contractor .

For insight into sports facility design and construction , SportsField Management recently spoke with Nick Bauer , product manager at Sightline Commercial Solutions . Bauer manages the research and development of new architectural railing and platform and staging products and solutions . His duties include financial and technical competitive analyses , benchmarking products , services and processes against those of other organizations , creating technical drawings and specifications and providing marketing assistance . Based in Minneapolis , Minnesota , Sightline Commercial Solutions is a leading fabricator and global supplier of architectural railing , metal , glazing and portable platform solutions for the commercial , sports venue , live entertainment and performing arts industries . Sightline ’ s solutions can be found at major sporting venues including Allianz Field ( Minnesota United FC ), Lower . com Field ( Columbus Crew ), CityPark ( St . Louis CITY SC ), Bank of America Stadium ( Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC ), Geodis Park ( Nashville SC ), and much more .

SFM : What is the actual installation process / timeframe for projects of this magnitude ? Bauer : The installation process is a coordinated effort between the general contractor , Sightline Commercial Solutions and the installation crew . Installation timelines at major venues can range from six months to several years for just our portion of the contract , so we work through a schedule and make sure the product is delivered and installed on time , because being behind or too far ahead may hinder other trades . We are also usually on site during the final days before a venue opens to ensure everything is up to customer standards .

SportsField Management ( SFM ): What goes into the planning / designing / building process at major venues , and what is the process of determining the optimum solutions for the various applications throughout these venues ?

22 SportsField Management | June 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com