Contractors of new stadiums keynote Computers for Construction 2001

Representatives from Driscoll/Hunt and Turner Construction Co. will kick off Computers for Construction 2001 (www.computersforconstruction.com) by discussing the concepts, planning and construction of the $1.1 billion construction of the football Eagles and baseball Phillies stadiums in Philadelphia. The tradeshow and conference will take place Nov. 13-15 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Peter F. Coyle, project executive with the joint venture of Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based L.F. Driscoll Co. and Indianapolis-based Hunt Construction Group, will discuss the communication technology being employed in the design and construction of the Phillies 43,000-seat ballpark, which will open in April 2004. The $346 million ballpark was designed jointly by Helmuth Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) Sports Facilities Group of Kansas City, Mo., and Ewing Cole Cherry Brott of Philadelphia.

"It is extremely important for construction professionals at job sites and at corporate headquarters to have immediate access to each other," says Coyle. "We're using new technology such as digital cameras, project Web sites and two-way cell phones to network with subcontractors at the construction site."

The Eagles broke ground in early June for the 66,000-seat stadium, which is scheduled to open in August 2003. Richard West, vice president and project director of Dallas-based contractor Turner Construction, will share solutions and strategies for accounting, budgeting, estimating, scheduling, purchasing, data-sharing and job-site safety.

"With over 4,000 construction workers involved in the development of the stadium, turning challenges into opportunities is key to managing a construction project of this magnitude, as well as having it come in on time and on budget," says West. "It is very crucial to increase efficiency through the use of technology."