Oklahoma State University Athletics
Construction Update: Box Truss Erection Nears Completion
December 15, 1999 | General
Dec. 15, 1999
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Construction of Oklahoma State's new Athletic Center continues with the second box truss scheduled to be completely in place on Thursday. The enormous metal trusses span the new facility from east to west and will support the roof structure.
A symbolic topping-out ceremony is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. These ceremonies are usually conducted when the largest and highest pieces of structural steel are in place on a job site.
Soon after the box trusses are in place, long-span joists will be put in place. These joists will span the facility from north to south. When the long-span joists are in place, the roof structure and exterior walls can be completed.
Gary Sparks, coordinating architect on the project, says work is progressing very well.
"The impressive thing is all the work that is being done inside," Sparks said. "They are almost nine months ahead of schedule on the inside work. The exterior works is also going well. We need a few weeks of good weather and everything is right on schedule."
Training and Weight Rooms Relocated
OSU's athletic training facilities and the weight training facilities are currently in the process of relocating. When relocation is complete, work on renovating those existing areas will begin. Those areas, including the football dressing rooms, are scheduled to be completed before fall practice begins in August.
What's Next
The most visible work upcoming on the project will be construction of two more stair towers, one on the north and the other on the south side of the arena. When those towers are in place, work will begin on the north and south sides of the concourse.
On Time
The Athletic Center is still on target for completion on Dec. 1, 2000.
"I anticipate no problems making that Dec. 1 deadline," Sparks said. "I fully expect the arena, dressing rooms, wrestling areas and football coaches building to be completed by that date."
