JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A press box is under construction near the track and field across from the Rambler Fitness Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. It is set to be completed by April.
The $300,000 project was requested by the center's fitness and sports activity branch.
The press box will be used to monitor physical training testing and to host soccer, flag football and track events, Marlin Richardson, 902nd Force Support Squadron fitness and sports manager, said.
When finished, the three-story building will be 20 feet long, 15 feet wide and stand 30 feet high. A storage area for field maintenance supplies will make up the first floor, a room with speaker system gear and sliding windows for announcers will be the second floor and a balcony view for photographers and reporters will be the top floor.
"We're also in the process of trying to purchase a digital clock with temperature readings for the outside of the press box," Richardson said.
Once funding was approved, plans for development began in April 2012, when a statement of work was written by Randolph civil engineers.
Randolph officials employed Con-Cor Inc. to carry out the construction, who selected Salas Lopez Architects Inc. to design the press box.
"We started breaking ground about two weeks ago," Juan Pinon, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron electrical engineer and project manager, said. "When digging, we encountered several large cement blocks - possibly foundations from an old scoreboard - that we had to unearth."
Despite the unexpected discovery, Pinon said his work as a project manager is to ensure every detail, from plumbing to electrical components, are considered by his team to "protect the future integrity of the design."
The press box will be powered by a new transformer, which is also included in the cost for the project at the track and field.
Planning stages for a similar press box at Yankee Stadium, across from Hangar 6 and Pitsenbarger Hall, are under way, Richardson said.