The new home for the L.A. Rams and L.A. Chargers will not be opening as soon as was originally intended. The 70,000-seat stadium was initially scheduled to be ready in time for the 2019 NFL season, but thanks to a surfeit of rain the opening will be delayed until the start of the 2020 season, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The rainfall in the area didn’t just reach record amounts, but it also occurred at the worst possible time during the HKS-design stadium’s construction: the excavation phase.
At times, the stadium’s excavation site was filled with as much as 10 to 12 feet of standing water, which needed to be drained before work could resume. This caused the project, which is being built by Turner Construction and AECOM, to screech to a halt for two months.
The two months can’t be made up over the next two years, thus getting the project back on schedule, due to an already ambitious construction timetable and the increased workload associated with creating a stadium that will house two separate teams, according to the LA Times.
Due to the delay, the Rams will continue to play in the Coliseum for the 2019 season while the Chargers will have to play their home games at the StubHub Center for an extra season. While the Coliseum has a seating capacity of around 93,000, the StubHub center only offers 27,000 seats, but this will be expanded to 30,000 for Chargers games.
The stadium will be the focal point of a mixed-use entertainment district that will include a 300-room hotel, retail and office space, and a 6,000-seat performance venue.
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 20, 2016
Chicago Cubs unveil plans for premier fan club underneath box seats at Wrigley Field
As part of the baseball team’s larger stadium renovation project, the club will offer exclusive food, drinks, and seating.
Events Facilities | Jul 19, 2016
Houston architect offers novel idea for Astrodome renovation
Current plans for the Astrodome’s renovation turn the site into an indoor park and events space, but a Houston architect is questioning if that is the best use of the space
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jul 18, 2016
Turner and AECOM will build the Los Angeles Rams’ new multi-billion dollar stadium project
The 70,000-seat stadium will be ready by the 2019 NFL season. The surrounding mixed-use development includes space for retail, hotels, and public parks.
Building Tech | Jul 14, 2016
Delegates attending political conventions shouldn’t need to ask ‘Can you hear me now?’
Each venue is equipped with DAS technology that extends the building’s wireless coverage.
Contractors | Jul 4, 2016
A new report links infrastructure investment to commercial real estate expansion
Competitiveness and economic development are at stake for cities, says Transwestern.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 9, 2016
Swimming may be returning to Melbourne’s polluted Yarra River… kind of
The addition of a pool to the Yarra may help improve people’s perception of the river and act as the impetus to an increase in support for improving its water quality.
Building Team Awards | May 23, 2016
'Greenest ballpark' proves a winner for St. Paul Saints
Solar arrays, a public art courtyard, and a picnic-friendly “park within a park" make the 7,210-seat CHS Field the first ballpark to meet Minnesota sustainable building standards.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 20, 2016
Texas Rangers announce plans for $1 billion retractable roof ballpark
The new stadium will replace Globe Life Park, which is only 22 years old.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 19, 2016
Audacy brings wireless lighting controls to Wrigley Field’s new clubhouse
The Audacy system uses a combination of motion sensors, luminaire controllers, light sensors, and switches that are all connected and coordinated by Gateways.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | May 6, 2016
NBA’s Atlanta Hawks to build new practice center with attached medical facilities
The team will have easy access to an MRI machine, 3D motion capture equipment, and in-ground hydrotherapy.
