Add as a preferred source on Google

Cooperative Agreement Leads to Savings

  • 12/01/15
Arkansas State University (ASU) Convocation Center

Replacing 10,000+ seats was a big job for Arkansas State University, but with E&I, they were able to find both a durable and economical solution with ease.

Built in 1987, the Arkansas State University (ASU) Convocation Center is a colossal arena designed to accommodate concerts, rodeos, ice shows, trade shows and a variety of athletic events. The center serves a tri-state market area of 500,000, including more than 12,000 university students.

About three years ago, ASU determined it was time to replace the convocation center’s original seating, which consisted of 10,000+ seats on telescopic platforms. Project requirements called for a durable seating solution with the flexibility to accommodate the arena’s multi-purpose event configurations.

ASU focused on two factors when assessing potential seating suppliers: quality and cost. Irwin Seating Company was an immediate standout, due to its reputation as an industry leader in the telescopic seating space. As a member of E&I Cooperative Services, ASU could save significantly on its purchases with Irwin Seating, by utilizing the Cooperative’s competitively awarded contract.

“The E&I contract allowed us to use pricing that was already in place for this type of project, without having to go through a lengthy RFP process,” says Tim Dean, director of the convocation center. Irwin representatives worked closely with the university to develop a detailed plan, and the project was phased in over a three-year timeframe.

“Our arena functions 365 days a year, so the installation was bound to have its challenges,” Dean explains. “We experienced a few date overruns, but Irwin successfully completed the last phase in the summer of 2015, ahead of schedule. As for costs, we came in right on budget.”

ASU spent approximately $3.875 million, with an estimated savings of $100,000 through the E&I contract. According to Dean, “I would definitely recommend E&I’s Irwin Seating contract to other institutions. Whenever we can find ways to work together to maximize our time and cost savings, everyone is a winner.”

www.eandi.org

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.

Digital Edition