Sports & Entertainment Overview

ENGINEERING | TECHNOLOGY + EQUIPMENT PLANNING COMMISSIONING | SUSTAINABILITY | BUILDING ENCLOSURE

GET TO KNOW US

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) has been providing consulting engineering services for over 55 years. We have a staff of over 500 in 16 offices and are currently ranked among the top consulting engineers in sports and entertainment by Building Design and Construction magazine.

For the past 25+ years, SSR has had a dedicated team specializing in the areas of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, environmental, structural, and technology/AV engineering design for sports and entertainment facilities. Our expertise also includes commissioning and energy management. As a matter of principled design for every major project, we integrate energy modeling into the design from the beginning, using the models to guide the design, applying life cycle costs, maintenance factors, and architectural considerations to all decisions.

We have a long history of designing sustainable sports facilities, including the LEED Platinum® UCLA Health Training Center, Little Caesar’s Arena, the new Golden State Warriors Chase Center, the new Allegiant Stadium, and the University of North Texas’ Apogee Stadium (the first LEED Platinum® college stadium in the country). We also are proud to work as direct consultants to the NBA and the NHL, with extensive experience with ice floor design.

AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLED DESIGN FOR EVERY MAJOR PROJECT, WE INTEGRATE ENERGY MODELING INTO THE DESIGN FROM THE BEGINNING, USING THE MODELS TO GUIDE THE DESIGN, APPLYING LIFE CYCLE COSTS, MAINTENANCE FACTORS, AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS TO ALL DECISIONS.

SSR

BUILDING ENCLOSURE

Building Enclosure Commissioning

Roof Consulting

Enclosure Testing

Facility Condition Assessments & Investigations

Design & Design Consulting

CIVIL

Site Planning & Development

Grading & Drainage

Erosion & Sediment Control

Stormwater Management

Surveying & Mapping

Hydrology COMMISSIONING

Total Building Commissioning

Retro-Commissioning

Continuous Commissioning®

COMPLIANCE AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Continuous Compliance Readiness

Environment of Care Reviews

Day 2 Compliance

Facility Management Consulting

Compliance Education/Training

CONTROLS AND INTEGRATION

Process Control

SCADA

Wireless Communications

Machine Control & Guarding

Data Collection

ELECTRICAL

Power Distribution

Interior & Exterior Lighting

Daylighting

Standby Power Facilities

Uninterruptible Power

Power Conditioning

Coordination Studies

ENVIRONMENTAL

Water Treatment & Distribution

Wastewater Treatment & Collection

Water Reclamation/Reuse

Integrated Water Planning

Financial Analysis

Program Management

FIRE PROTECTION

Wet & Dry Sprinkler Systems

Clean Agent Systems

Foam Systems

Hydraulic Modeling

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

SYSTEMS (GIS)

System Design & Implementation

Infrastructure Mapping & Asset

Management

Data Migration

Mobile & Web-based Geospatial

Solutions

Location Analytics

Training

MECHANICAL

Central Energy Plants

WHAT WE DO

Building Automation Systems

Energy Management

CFD Analysis

Geo-Exchange

Campus Distribution Systems

High Performance HVAC

Cogeneration

PLUMBING

Building Water Supply & Sewer

Gas Systems

Water Use Audits & Management

Greywater & Rainwater Systems

Process Pure Water

Solar Water Heating

STRUCTURAL

Foundations, Deep & Shallow

Reinforced, Pre-Stressed, & PostTensioned Concrete

Steel Fabrication

Failure Analysis

Seismic Evaluations & Retrofit

SUSTAINABILITY

Green Building Certification

Consulting

Sustainability Consulting

Building Performance Consulting

TECHNOLOGY + EQUIPMENT PLANNING

Healthcare Technology + Equipment Planning

Healthcare Consulting

Equipment Planning

Communication Systems Design

Security Consulting

Audiovisual Design

Asset Management

Procurement

Transition Planning

Move Management

TRANSPORTATION

Roadways & Bridges

Signalization

Airports

Port Facilities

Roadway Planning & Safety

Audits

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Construction Engineering Inspection

Continuous Commissioning®, CC® and PCC® are registered trademarks of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, a member of the Texas A&M University System, an agency of the State of Texas.

RETURN TO PLAY

In late 2020, league officials from both the NBA and NHL were looking at ways to protect both the players and fans in their arenas. Ahead of their respective seasons, each league published return to play protocols that included recommended and required measures. These guidelines prioritized measures intended to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and were informed by both current CDC and ASHRAE guidance, discussions with team and arena personnel, and reviewed with medical experts, engineers, and certified industrial hygienists. Each arena and team were required to respond to the guidelines with documentation of compliance. SSR was engaged by multiple venues in both leagues to help with their compliance and response to the issued protocols.

NBA

Leveraging our familiarity with the HVAC systems and arena staff, SSR worked with facility personnel from Chase Center (Golden State Warriors), Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Pistons), Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland Cavaliers), AmericanAirlines Arena (Miami Heat), and Kia Center (Orlando Magic) to provide a mechanical systems analysis in response to the league issued protocols. The team then developed a mechanical system report for each facility documenting the steps being taken by the facility to ensure safe entry for patrons. The SSR team also worked with facility engineering staff from Bridgestone Arena and Amalie Arena as they bid to host the Toronto Raptors for the 202021 season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

SSR studied the reset protocols and, in tandem with facility engineering teams, drafted responses to the protocols for each venue’s air ventilation and filtration systems. These responses looked at multiple items presented by the protocols and tried to accommodate the recommendations either

by utilizing the existing systems, minor updates, or completely new additions to comply with the guidelines. Some of the key recommendations as outlined by the CDC and ASHRAE were:

Increasing the amount of outside air ventilation within the facility accomplished by increasing the minimum ventilation setpoints in the existing arena BAS (building automation system)

Disabling demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) controls that reduce outside air supply based on occupancy

Viability of using natural ventilation

Improving central air filtration to MERV 13 or better Providing a minimum of one complete air turnover with fresh air just before doors open for events, while maintaining indoor temperature and relative humidity requirements

Running building ventilation systems 24/7 to maximize dilution ventilation for all spaces within the facility.

NHL

Like our experience with numerous NBA venues, SSR was engaged by facility engineering staff at NHL arenas where we have familiarity and existing relationships. Those venues include Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lighting), Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators), and Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Red Wings). Building on the protocols set forth by the NBA as noted above, the NHL recommended each arena review their mechanical systems to ensure proper air change rates based on CDC and AHSRAE guidelines were maintained. They recommended increasing ventilation filtration where possible. In addition, an independent

ventilation analysis (air test and balance report) for all occupied spaces was required. The purpose of this analysis was to confirm supply, outdoor air, and exhaust ventilation rates and establish whether the existing system was performing to the basis of its design, thus ensuring proper airflow rates within the building are maintained. SSR has assisted in the preparation, solicitation, and evaluation of these reports.

From a mechanical view, both the NBA and the NHL have responsibly implemented measures that will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

ALLEGIANT STADIUM

LAS VEGAS, NV

SSR provided engineering services for the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Stadium operates as a state-of-the-art independent venue for sporting events, concerts, trade shows or other large events. The Stadium is home to an NFL football team (Las Vegas Raiders) and an NCAA Football Team (UNLV Rebels) and has a permanent seat capacity of 65,000. Specifically designed to be ideally suited to hosting world class sporting events such as Super Bowls and the FIFA World Cup Finals, the seat capacity is able to be temporarily expanded up to 72,000 seats. The Stadium has a fixed roof over the field of play which allows the facility to be used for indoor events. The stadium hosted Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.

KIA

ARENA ORLANDO, FL

The 750,000 SF, 40-suite Kia Arena is home to the Orlando Magic and is a full-service entertainment facility. The project had a construction cost of $295 million and opened in the fall of 2010.

The Kia Arena was designed with energy conservation in mind and received LEED Gold® certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

DICKIES

ARENA FORT WORTH, TX

The new Dickies Arena is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose facility designed for concerts, sporting events, rodeo, and the monthlong Fort Worth Stock Show. Dickies Arena will seat 14,000 for concerts and 9,300 for equestrian and rodeo events. The facility also features 91,315 SF of space for indoor stock booths or pens, suitable for 400 spaces. SSR is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design services for the facility.

DETROIT PISTONS PERFORMANCE CENTER

DETROIT, MI

The building also serves as the headquarters for ownership, staff and front office basketball operations. It is the first NBA facility to introduce features for the surrounding community such as publicly accessible food and beverage and fitness retail areas. The building is on course to receive LEED certification thanks in part to the many mechanical, electrical and plumbing energy performance and saving features include in this design.

KFC YUM! CENTER

LOUISVILLE, KY

The KFC Yum! Center is a 22,000-seat, multi-use arena for the City of Louisville and home to the basketball programs of the University of Louisville Cardinals, a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The arena is approximately 717,000 SF and is equipped with an ice floor. Additionally, it was designed to accommodate a wide variety of other events including NCAA championships such as wrestling, swimming, and volleyball as well as concerts, circus, boxing, and ice shows.

UCLA HEALTH TRAINING CENTER

LOS ANGELES, CA

After decades of bouncing from practice space to space, the Los Angeles Lakers finally have a permanent home. Opened in the spring of 2017, the new LA Lakers headquarters and training facility was designed to encourage integration across all aspects of team operations, while keeping basketball at the center of the design and focus. The two-story facility is designed out from a double basketball court and includes two half-courts, a training area, team area, atrium, and corporate headquarters.

The state-of-the-art facility was designed with many sustainable elements and achieved LEED Platinum® certification.

LITTLE CAESARS ARENA

DETROIT, MI

The new Little Caesars Arena serves as home to the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons, and numerous other sports, entertainment, and community events. The Arena is the cornerstone of a new 45-block redevelopment in downtown Detroit called The District Detroit.

During the design of the 700,000 SF arena, there were many challenges by ownership, including changing architects and the project delivery method. The decision was made to go to a design assist delivery method after issuing final construction documents, creating immediate coordination challenges between the design team and the construction team. By working closely together with the contractor trades, the team was able to develop trust to keep the project on schedule toward the completion date.

SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design, along with energy consulting for the arena.

VTB STADIUM

AND ARENA MOSCOW, RUSSIA

VTB Stadium & Arena serves as the home to the 2018 HC Dynamo and Moscow Dynamo football club in Moscow. The facility is two very large structures under one roof. The centerpiece structure is 1,550,500 SF and houses a dual concourse, 45,461-seat stadium and a 16,500-seat hockey arena, as well as two levels of retail and two levels of parking. The other structure is a 205,000 SF practice facility with full size practice areas. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design. The project was completed in 2016 at a construction cost of $780 million.

SHANTOU UNIVERSITY

SPORTSPLEX

SHANTOU, CHINA

The new Shantou University Sports Park project consists of a 6,000-seat multi-use arena (which includes ice floor), a natatorium with competitive Olympic swimming pool, sport and fitness training facilities, a flexible grand conference hall, a 200-room boutique hotel and garage for 200 vehicles. Work was completed in conjunction with the Guangzhou Design Institute.

BROOKLYN NETS TRAINING

CENTER

BROOKLYN, NY

In early 2016 the Brooklyn Nets moved into their new, 70,000 SF training center, bringing all team operations into Brooklyn. Work on the facility included raising the current ceiling from 12 feet to 34 feet to accommodate arching jump shots. The design team elected to build the new, high ceiling, above the existing roof. Infrastructure like lighting, HVAC and retractable baskets were installed.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PARK

DENVER, CO

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is an 18,000seat stadium that serves as the home of the Colorado Rapids, a Major League Soccer team. The facility features a unique concourse that allows for unobstructed views of the playing field. It also includes 20 loge-level suites and five locker rooms as well as a state of the art heating and drainage system for the field. The facility can also be used for concerts and festivals at which seating can be expanded to hold 26,000 patrons. The stadium opened in April of 2007.

SNAPDRAGON STADIUM

SAN DIEGO, CA

The new $310 million, 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium will be the new home for San Diego State University’s football program. The new stadium will be the University’s first completed component of the redevelopment of the old Qualcomm Stadium, the former 135-acre home of the San Diego Chargers. It will offer a premium fan experience, including concession stands along the main concourse, luxury seating options, and high-end amenities.

SSR is assisting the project team as the electrical engineer of record in the design of electrical power distribution systems to the stadium. Located in “Sunny San Diego,” SDSU is taking advantage of the sun by building solar canopies over adjacent parking lots to aid in providing power to the stadium. The added benefit of solar power has allowed the stadium to seek LEED Gold® certification.

CHASE CENTER

SAN FRANSISCO, CA

SSR was selected to provide MEP design and LEED facilitation services for Chase Center, the new home of the Golden State Warriors. This state-of-the-art 18,000-seat arena sits on the Bay just to the south of the Bay Bridge. It is was completed in time for the 2019 season. The arena also hosts concerts, family shows, conferences, and various other events. Also located on the site are two mixed-use office buildings and a large public plaza.

Our scope of work also included LEED Consulting and energy modeling for the three buildings on site, each being designed to achieve a LEED Gold certification.

FIRST HORIZON PARK

NASHVILLE, TN

First Horizon Park is the new home of the minor league base ball team the Nashville Sounds. The stadium sits between Third and Fifth Avenue on the east and west, and between Jackson Street and Harrison Street on the north and south.

The ballpark has 8,500 fixed seats, a huge parking lot, and a pedestrian greenway, among other things.

SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and technology servivces, as well as LEED® MEP credit coordination and energy modeling services for the facility. The ballpark opened for the 2015 season.

Systems include structured cable system design support for all ball park technology requirements.

APOGEE STADIUM

DENTON, TX

In keeping with the campus’s high sustainable goals, the new 31,000-seat stadium includes numerous environmental friendly features. To reduce water consumption and urban runoff, the facility includes an 85,000 SF water retention system, 338,000 SF of permeable paving, and low-flow plumbing systems.

Upon completion of the project, Apogee Stadium became the first newly built stadium to achieve LEED Platinum® certification, the highest level awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

BRIDGESTONE ARENA

NASHVILLE, TN

Bridgestone Arena is a 750,000 SF complex designed to meet NBA/NHL standards/capacities of 20,000 for concerts, 18,500 for basketball, and 17,500 for hockey. The facility includes 72 luxury boxes and serves as the home of the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. The project was completed in 1996 at a construction cost of $144 million.

More recently, SSR provided engineering design for $6.26 million upgrades. The project included lighting improvements and a newly designed HVAC equipment to improve dew point and ice conditions of the playing surface.

TRUIST FIELD

CHARLOTTE, NC

SSR provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design services for this new, minor league ball park in uptown Charlotte. The 10,000-seat stadium is home to the Charlotte Knights. The stadium features a two-level club with skyline views as well as a VIP, climate-controlled club with full service bar. In total, there are 975 club seats and 22 luxury suites at the ballpark. The project was completed in time for the 2014 season.

In addition to MEP services, SSRCx provided LEED® MEP Credit Coordination and LEED Energy Modeling. The project achieved LEED Certified® certification in June of 2014.

AMON G. CARTER STADIUM

FORT WORTH, TX

SSR provided services for a multi-phase expansion and renovation to the existing Amon G. Carter Stadium on the campus for Texas Christian University. The project included the addition of a new press tower with club suites, athletic offices, and press level suites. A new concourse, concessions, and restrooms were also included. The project was completed in 2012 at a cost of $165 million. SSR was responsible for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design. The project achieved LEED Silver® certification.

In 2017, SSR was asked to provide engineering design services for a $100 million premium seating expansion of Amon G. Carter Stadium. Completion is expected in time for the 2019 season on a project that will feature two new levels of luxury seating above the current upper deck on the east side of the stadium.