The roof on the new “Aurora” events/convention center will be jacked from the ground to its final resting position 80 ft. (24 m) above the seating bowl on July 12, 1999. Grand Forks is planning a celebration complete with Mayor Pat Owens and a host of local dignitaries.
Dubbed “The Aurora” for the aurora borealis, or northern lights, the building will offer a unique combination of space for a variety of events, including conventions of up to 2,000 people, trade shows, football games, concerts of various sizes (up to 20,000), soccer games, circuses and other family shows.
Ellerbe Becket Engineering Principal H.B. Warner said the main long span roof, which at 360 ft. by 260 ft. (109 m by 79 m) is larger than a football field, is being assembled on the ground. This includes all truss framing, catwalks, rigging beams, and the metal roof deck covering. While under assembly, the roof is actually sitting on the arena event/field level floor.
High capacity jacks on the top of the arena super towers at each corner of the main roof will lift the roof into place. The process should be completed in one day.
Warner said roof jacking for an arena is unique. While a portion of the Bank One Ballpark roof was jacked into place, Ellerbe Becket has not designed any other sports facilities that have used the technique.
“This method shortened the roof erection schedule enabling the steel contractor to meet a tight schedule,” said Warner. “Many of the construction difficulties and complexities associated with high long-span roof erections were minimized since all assembly work was near ground level in lieu of 80 ft. (24 m) in the air. This construction methodology also eliminated the need for costly temporary erection shoring towers.”
Ellerbe Becket is providing design, MEP and structural engineering. JLA-Schoen of Grand Forks is the prime architect and Compass Facility Management of Grand Forks is the building operator.
The Aurora, which will open in 2001, will be the premier events center in the region. It will include a convention center with a 30,000-sq.ft. (2,787 m2) expo hall and 12 meeting rooms; and a 13,000-seat football stadium, which will seat up to 22,000 for stage events.
An innovator since its founding, Ellerbe Becket provides integrated architecture, engineering, interiors, planning and construction services from 12 office locations worldwide. The firm is celebrating its 90th anniversary during 1999.
