The U.S. Cadet Fieldhouse Phase II kicked off in 2017 with a 3-day onsite charrette, followed by design in 2018. Construction for Phase II is slated to begin in 2021. The two most visible changes during this phase will be upgraded glazing on the south façade that maintains the historical look-and-feel of the original building and a new entry vestibule and Ticket Office. Other renovations in Phase II include the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, new track locker rooms, an egress corridor on the Participant Level, and completion of the mechanical systems in the other half of the building. See photos of some of the areas that will be updated once construction for Phase II starts in 2021.
USAFA Cadet Field House Phase I
In Phase I of the Cadet Field House HB&A renovated hockey locker rooms, team area, and coaches’ offices as well as the public restrooms on the Spectator Level. Upgrades included new LED sports lighting, upgrading the mechanical system in half of the building, relocating the Press Box from the center of the building to the east side of the building, and new flooring on the Participant Level. As of September 2020, construction for Phase I is 80% complete.
Concurrent with the design of Phase I was the not-yet-funded or built Falcon’s Nest VIP area. Once funded and completed, it will be located between the hockey and basketball arenas on the same level as the newly constructed Press Box.
Introduction to the USAFA Cadet Field House
Home of the Falcons and center of campus sports on the Air Force Academy, the Cadet Field House is a massive 277,000+ sq foot sports complex containing the Clune Arena with seating for 6,240 basketball fans, the Cadet Ice Arena that holds approximately 3,100 spectators, and finally a multi-purpose track and field area with elevated seating for 1,000.
HB&A has worked on the Cadet Field House for more than 7 years starting with a planning charrette report in 2012 that investigated updating the entire facility and its major systems. In 2012 HB&A tackled the full design effort in support of the phasing of construction. Since the complex was built in 1968 all phases of the renovation include remediation of life safety issues, code deficiencies, accessibility improvements, expansions of the fire protection system, and upgrades to meet current Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) standards. Our work in Phases I and II has impacted roughly 65-70% of the total building. The design of Phase III is the early stages.