James Madison University Stadium & Scoreboard
A duplex system of paint over hot-dip galvanized steel was chosen because the fabricator pointed out the benefits of the durability, corrosion resistance, and low maintenance the owner would have in the years to come. The architect specified galvanizing to protect the catwalks, handrails and ladders in the working areas of the scoreboard from corrosion for the design life of the structure. Maintenance painting would be difficult, if not impossible, in the confined space of the scoreboard interior. Galvanizing ensures that the structure is protected from the elements for decades to come.
The catwalks were too large to be galvanized as received. We worked closely with the fabricator and the erector and offered suggestions to modify the structures to allow them to be galvanized and re-assembled prior to shipping. Scoreboards manufacturers typically offer painted steel to their clients because it is easy. The selection of galvanizing insures that JMU will have a maintenance free structure for generations of football seasons.
JMU Bridgeforth Staduim's $62.5M upgrade includes the addition of 10,000 seats and a 24 x 60 foot video board above the south end zone along with an enhanced sound system.
The JMU Dukes' football coach, Mickey Matthews said that the newly expanded facility prompts one of two reactions. "One word you hear is "Wow". The second reaction that you get a lot is that people are speechless. They just don't know what to say."
Southern Bleacher in Graham, Texas, built the beautiful new addition to the James Madison University football stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This was an 18,802 seat addition to Bridgeforth Stadium and used Interlock 2000 decking. The addition was completed in three phases. Phase 1: Seating and chairs and benches with backrests. Phase 2: Area surrounding pressbox, chairs and bench seating. Phase 3: End zone, bench seating. Team purple risers were used throughout the addition.
NOTE: Following the 2009 season, Southern Bleacher began construction on the addition. The project included the addition of 10,000 seats, improved sight lines for all West Side seats, club level and hospitality suites. The project was completed in time for the 2011 season and stayed in budget. The project was within budget largely due to the use of the galvanizer. The 1.8 million pounds of galvanized steel was used exclusively and in most areas was painted with a duplex coating. The Dukes needed a new stadium in time for their 2011 season opener, but it could not be started until after the season ended in the fall of 2010. This was completed in some of the worst winter weather conditions the East Coast had seen in years, utilizing a galvanizing company with an indoor, climate-controlled paint facility, which would provide a single source responsibility to the duplex coating system. This was the best way to go for the House of the Dukes Football team.
The galvanizing company not only met all conditions of the ASTM 6386/ASTM 123 for the galvanizing they applied the patented JMU Purple paint, and delivered the material all on Company-owned trucks. Never a late load, never a late shipment (nearly 65 loads). The galvanizer supervised the job site touch up, and supplied all materials for a flawless beautiful stadium project.
