We wanted to get to know more about the new Phoenix Rising FC soccer field, so we talked to Lloyd Ramsey who is a manager and technical leader of DLR Group, which is a design firm that offers architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, renovation, etc.
First, some key facts:
DLR was found in 1966 as an architecture and engineering firm
More than 1,000 employees serve public and private-sector clients from 27 offices throughout the world
DLR is a 100 percent employee-owned firm
They wanted to finish the stadium within 90 days, starting in February, but actually completed work in March.
The stadium, 751 N. McClintock Drive in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, has a 6,200 seating capacity with a potential build-out at 10,000 seats with every game so far being sold out .
Now, our questions:
Q: How did building the soccer stadium come about?
A: The local USL team (called Arizona United at the time) had its lease terminated and needed a new home to play in.
Q: What was the goal of building the new stadium?
A: To design and construct a temporary (three seasons) 6,000 seat stadium in 90 or fewer days.
Q: What is your stadium bringing that other stadiums don't have?
A: A terrific fan experience, amenities were built into the design even though the intent was for a temporary facility.
Q: What was the biggest challenge in building the stadium?
A: An extremely compressed schedule, we had less than 90 days to design and construct the facility.
Q: Do you feel like you have accomplished your overall goal of the stadium; if so why?
A: Yes, we met the schedule and the budget constraints and delivered a beautiful temporary facility.
Q: How big is the soccer field?
A: The field itself is 116 yards by 76 yards.
Q: When did you start a career in construction and why?
A: 2000, I was previously working in operations and maintenance of facilities and wanted to get into the design and construction field.
Q: What is the next big project for the DLR Group?
A: We are currently working on an adaptive reuse project of the old Madison Street jail for Maricopa County with a construction value of $65 million.