Nicholson Continues Work for The University of Colorado’s Athletic Facilities Expansion

Nicholson Construction’s Denver office has had a busy summer supporting the University of Colorado Boulder’s ongoing athletic complex expansion project. The $156 million effort at the university includes the refurbishing of the Dal Ward Athletic Center, the addition of a new indoor practice facility and an addition to Folsom Field, which includes new seating areas.

Nicholson’s work includes a permanent earth retention system to complete the large excavation for the construction of the indoor practice football field and running track, as well as two levels of underground parking. The project also includes the construction of new football operations offices and a new weight room.

Nicholson began work in May 2014 on the temporary and permanent earth retention system with soil nail and shotcrete walls for the project, with approximately 250 linear wall feet being constructed as a cantilevered drilled shaft and shotcrete wall. An additional 260 feet were constructed as a cantilevered soldier beam and wood lagging wall.

The maximum wall height for the earth retention systems within the indoor practice facility and parking garage is approximately 50 feet. Nicholson has since completed approximately 16,000 square feet of the 68,000 square feet necessary to excavate the site.

The general contractor for the project is Mortenson Construction, which is currently ranked as the second largest sports builder in the United States. Nicholson has also performed work at stadiums across the country, including Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, and most recently, Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium.

“For Nicholson’s CU alumni, it’s pretty special to be on the construction team,” said Cary Lange, Regional Manager for Nicholson Construction. “This is a great project for the university and for the community, and we’re really proud to be part of it.”

Nicholson will complete the project in February 2015 on the current construction schedule. The overall project is set to be completed in fall 2015.