Conventional style arena planned for Durant
Plans at 50-percent approval phase
By Chrissie Isenberg
Managing editor
The new design for the community arena/convocation center has been determined to be a conventional-style arena, as opposed to the dome-style.
The approved design has 3,106 seats, with optional seating for special events. At this time, the approved design will hold 4,100 seats for special events.
Dr. Jeff Hale, chairman of the Durant Community Facilities Association, said the plans are at the 50-percent approval phase, meaning that the over-all plan has been approved, but minor changes to the plans may be made before the arena is built. Hale said plans follow an approval session at different phases, which allows for flexibility as new ideas or needs arise.
A dome-shaped facility was considered before the conventional-style facility was approved.
“I think there was interest in a dome,” he said, adding that the authority “thought the dome design would be considerably less expensive. That was driving the interest initially.”
Hale said there was a possibility that the dome-shaped facility would also provide a substantial savings in energy over the lifetime of the facility.
After reviewing both possibilities, the authority discovered that there was very little, if any, cost savings in the dome plan, and representatives from Architects in Partnership, the architectural firm handling the project, said there were ways to make the conventional style more energy efficient.
Another factor in choosing the design was the appearance.
“Most people thought the conventional design was more aesthetically pleasing,” Hale said. “We got some feedback. People just didn't like the domes.”
Hale said the feedback from the community was helpful in choosing a design, and the feedback, along with the research, was used in making the final decision.
The 12,000-13,000-square-foot building does not have the actual design for the nadatorium, Hale said, but added that the committed was in the process of developing plans.
The actual convocation center is estimated at $6.6 million, but the total project is allotted $7.2 million.
The DCFA has made minor recommendations and changes and is expected to see the next presentation in the August meeting.
“After the August meeting, we will have AIP prepare the bid documents. In mid-September we will be opening bids,” Hale said of the schedule the DCFA is hoping to follow.
“Helpfully, later September to October we will expect the project to begin,” he said, but added that it was just a proposed schedule.
Plans at 50-percent approval phase
By Chrissie Isenberg
Managing editor
The new design for the community arena/convocation center has been determined to be a conventional-style arena, as opposed to the dome-style.
The approved design has 3,106 seats, with optional seating for special events. At this time, the approved design will hold 4,100 seats for special events.
Dr. Jeff Hale, chairman of the Durant Community Facilities Association, said the plans are at the 50-percent approval phase, meaning that the over-all plan has been approved, but minor changes to the plans may be made before the arena is built. Hale said plans follow an approval session at different phases, which allows for flexibility as new ideas or needs arise.
A dome-shaped facility was considered before the conventional-style facility was approved.
“I think there was interest in a dome,” he said, adding that the authority “thought the dome design would be considerably less expensive. That was driving the interest initially.”
Hale said there was a possibility that the dome-shaped facility would also provide a substantial savings in energy over the lifetime of the facility.
After reviewing both possibilities, the authority discovered that there was very little, if any, cost savings in the dome plan, and representatives from Architects in Partnership, the architectural firm handling the project, said there were ways to make the conventional style more energy efficient.
Another factor in choosing the design was the appearance.
“Most people thought the conventional design was more aesthetically pleasing,” Hale said. “We got some feedback. People just didn't like the domes.”
Hale said the feedback from the community was helpful in choosing a design, and the feedback, along with the research, was used in making the final decision.
The 12,000-13,000-square-foot building does not have the actual design for the nadatorium, Hale said, but added that the committed was in the process of developing plans.
The actual convocation center is estimated at $6.6 million, but the total project is allotted $7.2 million.
The DCFA has made minor recommendations and changes and is expected to see the next presentation in the August meeting.
“After the August meeting, we will have AIP prepare the bid documents. In mid-September we will be opening bids,” Hale said of the schedule the DCFA is hoping to follow.
“Helpfully, later September to October we will expect the project to begin,” he said, but added that it was just a proposed schedule.