USAFA climbing tower complete!

The new USAFA climbing tower, named the Leader Challenge Tower is an all-steel climbing and training structure that replaces the old wooden climbing wall building in 1996.

It has two “decks” at 23 and 54 feet; two 76-foot climbing walls; multiple climbing lines; rappel stations; quick-drops from 54 feet; increased daily capacity with space for multiple units at the same time; decks are large enough to work with a classroom-size group all at once; and heating and lighting for 24-hour, year-round operations capabilities.

The tower features an acrylic floor on the top deck to allow users to see 55 feet down to the ground below.

Photos courtesy of USAFA.

USAFA Cadet Fieldhouse Phase III

The completion of the design of Phase III was awarded in 2019 and HB&A has completed 35% of the design as of September 2020. Phase III focuses almost entirely on the Multi-Purpose track area of the building. Plans include replacing the old track with a new banked hydraulic one and renovating track and field team rooms, including new equipment and clothing storage areas. New additions to the Multi-Purpose Level include a sports training room and two new public restrooms. Other site improvements include exterior sidewalks, stairs and rails, xeriscaping, and upper HVAC in the basketball and Hockey areas. Finally, the existing freight elevator will be replaced with a new ADA compliant model that services all levels of the complex. Construction is expected to start in 2023. The two photos below show the existing track/Multi-purpose area of the building.

USAFA Cadet Fieldhouse Phase II

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.  

Desert Storm Flag presented to 2005-2006 USAFA Hockey team by Lt. Col. Jim Solti.

The newly remodeled USAFA Hockey Team Locker Room

HB&A has upgraded or will be upgrading all the restrooms throughout the entire Cadet Field House.

Mechanical

Inside a mechanical room at the Cadet Field House.

Inside a mechanical room at the Cadet Field House.

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. 

During Phase II we will replace the existing storefront system on the southern facade with a more energy-efficient glazing system that meets current AT/FP standards.