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.

Things are looking up!

Construction of the USAFA Ropes Course and Climbing Wall is underway! The tower’s structure was designed to complement the angles and feel of the nearby Polaris Hall, while the stacked and triangular structural supports find their inspiration from the angles of the Cadet Chapel.

The tower will have two ‘classroom decks’ to serve as both entry points to the course. Equipped with dynamic and smart belay systems, rappel stations, climbing surfaces, and a zip line, the unique course elements were incorporated into the programming to satisfy the diversity of use by course operators.

The tower is expected to be completed this summer.

Climb on Air Force!

Polaris Hall

Cadet Chapel

HB&A led the team that designed the future USAFA Ropes Course and Climbing Wall project. Inspiration was gathered from the world-class display of buildings on the Academy’s campus including Polaris Hall and the Cadet Chapel. The long primary members of the tower’s structure are meant to complement the angles and feel of the nearby Polaris Hall, while the stacked and triangular structural supports find their inspiration from the angles throughout the Cadet Chapel.

There are two ‘classroom decks’ located on the tower. One at roughly 25’ above grade and the second at 50’ above the ground.  They serve as both entry points to the challenge course and routes as well as debrief and gathering spaces. Dynamic and smart belay systems, rappel stations, climbing surfaces, a zip line, and unique challenge course elements were incorporated into the programming to satisfy the diversity of use by course operators.

The lower level of the course creates an opportunity for team-oriented challenge elements and traditional ropes course systems while the upper level offers a personal/individual challenge using the smart belay device.

Awarded in the fall of 2019, the design was completed in the fall of 2020. Construction will commence once funding is secured over the next couple of years.

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.