BDC Network: Mid-Size, Multi-Use Arenas Setting a Trend for the Future

From BDC Network, “While large 20,000-seat sports venues aren’t going away, mid-size venues provide advantages the big arenas do not in a time of budget constraints and the need for flexibility.
The 3,800-seat Covelli Multi-Sport Arena at The Ohio State University will not take the place of the Schottenstein Center, where 19,500 can watch a basketball game. What it will do is provide a home for wrestling, volleyball and gymnastics, while also allowing for lectures, concerts, banquets, academic college’s graduation, and similar campus events.
This project is indicative of a trend among colleges and universities toward mid-size, multi-use arenas that can serve the student body and surrounding community. While large 20,000-seat sports venues aren’t going away, mid-size venues provide advantages the big arenas do not in a time of budget constraints and the need for flexibility.
Operating costs are another attractive feature of mid-size arenas. They often require a leaner staff, a smaller budget to build and operate, and are much more energy efficient than larger arenas. Because these buildings can be used continuously, a college or university can operate them much more efficiently.
Often, the sheer scale of mid-size arenas fits better into many campus environments. The challenges of integrating a smaller venue with other campus buildings is much less of a problem than for larger facilities, and the costs of the exterior finish enclosure is more consistent with surrounding buildings is more achievable due the smaller scale.
While mid-size arenas are complex and can be subject to challenging building codes, there are ways to lessen the impact. For example, a successful solution is to design these arenas to a type A4, one-story with a basement classification; this can significantly reduce fire proofing requirements and allows it to be considered an unlimited area building. Such an approach can save a lot of budget costs, depending on the venue, allowing more dollars to be used for the building program.
These projects are exciting, flexible and sustainable. While they present challenges, the advantages are such that mid-size, multi-use arenas will continue to grow in popularity well into the future.