When the scoreboard of the original Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium was torn down in January 2014, the project team began a hurry-up offense to complete a roughly $200-million renovation in only ten months. Zurn Industries, LLC was drafted to provide its products and to meet the challenges of an expedited project timeline with made-to-order requirements.
Everything below the stadium’s upper deck was targeted for demolition and reconstruction to update the storied venue, which opened in 1936. The game plan provides Orlando, FL, a modernized stadium the city can use to host College Football Playoff games, World Cup soccer, and other major entertainment events that require a big, modern venue.
The large-scale renovation included new restrooms, concessions, kitchen facilities, and a team facilities building, as well as locker rooms for athletes and game officials. Zurn products were specified for all of these spaces.
“Zurn’s Custom Specification Drainage products and carrier banks were engineered, approved, ordered, and shipped in less than four weeks,” said Bill Verdecchia, director of Specification Drainage Product Marketing & Engineering for Zurn.
The roster of products used in this project is lengthy and filled with high-performance veterans, including stainless steel linear floor drains, lavatory and urinal carrier banks, closet carriers, stormwater drainage, custom debris covers, wall hydrants, cleanouts and light-duty grease traps, floor sinks, and floor drain stabilizers.
Plumbing contractors found that using Zurn carriers enabled them to cut the installation time in half for water closets, urinals, and lavatories. They also found that using Zurn products allowed them to prefabricate sturdy units that were then moved to the site and installed with no damage or leaks.
Construction crews worked in 24-hour shifts, and everyone associated with the project was laser-focused on the play clock. Products that allowed for fast, easy installation were essential.
The Citrus Bowl project demonstrates the breadth of engineered water solutions that Zurn provides. “It makes it so much easier for everyone involved to specify, install, and use products that are designed to work as total building systems,” said Frank Schaetzke, National Sales Manager for Zurn. “And needless to say, this is a huge building.”
Florida Citrus Sports runs major events in the Citrus Bowl. The group was instrumental in getting the stadium renovated.
“Just seeing it in real life, to be able to walk into the bowl—it just blows me away,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, speaking to the Orlando Sentinel. “Most of the country that would look at bringing business to Orlando has heard about this now, but once they actually come and experience it, I think all bets are off.”
The new stadium was unveiled just days before the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic football game November 22, 2014. The stadium hosted the nationally televised Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.
For more information, visit www.zurn.com.
MCAA thanks Zurn Industries for being a benefactor of MCAA 2015.
