Modernization of the 40-year-old icon is slated for completion in August 2010

HALTOM CITY, TEXAS – The Birdville ISD Board of Trustees has enlisted HKS Architects to study and renovate the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum.  The project’s objectives are to modernize the coliseum in terms of seating, atmosphere, team facilities, HVAC performance and concession capabilities.

In the mid-1960s, the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum was built in the Birdville Independent School District (BISD) to provide a central facility serving indoor sports, performing arts, convocation and commencement exercises.  The facility was built proudly atop one of the highest points in northeast Tarrant County, symbolizing the optimism and forward-looking nature of its community.  Today, while the coliseum is still in good structural condition, it is in need of rejuvenation.   

The original facility contains 5,200 seats, arranged as bleachers in a steep, U-shaped bowl configuration.  The renovated plan calls for a new seating bowl – shallower and safer in slope – to be built overtop the existing bowl.  The new seats will have individual chair backs, which will reduce the seat count to 3,000, but promote comfort and accessibility.

Access and egress, lighting, acoustics, HVAC and technology systems will also be improved within the main arena space.  Significant restroom upgrades – tripling the number of restroom fixtures – will be made to comply with today’s codes including “potty parity” equivalencies, which did not exist 45 years ago. 

Phased construction will begin March 2010, with the facility interior remaining in use until June.  The contractor will complete the project in five months, so that the coliseum is ready for the 2010-2011 basketball season. 

Much of the original interior, such as glazed block walls and terrazzo floors, is still in good condition.  These finishes will be saved and complemented by new ceramic tile, graphics and technology features.

“The building’s exterior will be enhanced by canopy systems that shade existing outdoor terraces, act as light shelves to reflect natural light deep into the concourse areas and provide an improved sense of pedestrian scale at the main entries,” said Mark VanderVoort, principal with HKS.  “Entry plazas will be improved by new down-lighting systems integrated with existing wall features, new celebratory graphics and new LED kinetic lighting.” 

When Wiley G. Thomas served as school superintendent in the 1960s, he dedicated the facility “for the children of Birdville ISD.”  According to VanderVoort, the new, modernized facility will continue to support Thomas’ vision for decades to come.

HKS, Inc. is a leading architectural design firm ranked among the top four architectural/engineering firms, according to Building Design+Construction magazine. Since its founding in 1939, HKS has completed construction projects totaling more than $45 billion in more than 1,000 cities located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and 59 foreign countries.  The firm operates from 24 worldwide offices.