Built in 1989 to replace Payne Park, the stadium currently holds 7,500 people. In 1998 the Cincinnati Reds made Ed Smith Stadium their home until 2009 when their lease expired with the city and stadium. Prior to the Reds, The Chicago White Sox occupied the facility from 1989 to 1997.

The Baltimore Orioles, who spent one year in the facility back in 1991, signed a 30-year lease to make Ed Smith Stadium their new home. They played their first spring training game on March 3rd against the Rays who they bested 12 to 2.

The renovation will update the stadium by adding more seating, providing more shared areas and updating the general aesthetics of the facility. Arches will be added to the two-story façade with a direct view of the field. A 35,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art clubhouse will also be added as part of the park’s facelift.

Orioles fans have a lot to look forward to as that March 2011 date approaches and Ed Smith Stadium takes on its refreshed look for its new tenant.

This level of dedication to venue size and fan experience expands beyond the two most popular sports in the world (NASCAR and soccer). Baseball, football, basketball, hockey and even golf are seeing luxuries and attention to detail fans and players could only imagine decades ago. Even older venues are getting major facelifts and modern-day improvements to bring them up to the level of greatness now expected in a sports facility.

That being said, SportsPro magazine was kind enough to give their two cents on the finest sporting facilities in the world. Hunt Construction Group is proud to see Lucas Oil Stadium sitting at number 22 in the top 30. During its construction, Hunt worked closely with architect HKS, Inc. to ensure every seat in the house was a good seat.

An excerpt from SportsPro’s article does a great job explaining why the stadium stands out from the crowd:

“The stadium’s two standout design elements, a vast, 300-ton movable window and a peaked, retractable roof, have both since been emulated by Populous for the Dallas Cowboy’s new stadium. Not only an architectural wonder, Lucas Oil Stadium has also revolutionized the commercial thinking that goes into stadium design.”

Hunt is proud of everyone who worked hard to create such a beautiful and groundbreaking facility. Also, a big thanks goes out to those who work hard everyday to ensure Lucas Oil Stadium continues to impress fans and inspire future facility design.

Be sure to check out the full list of facilities at SportsProMedia.com. There are some incredibly impressive facilities featured.

After 20 plus years in the Navy, Bob worked as Vice President of Human Resources for two construction management firms and later began his own consulting company.

We are excited to have Bob’s expertise on board as Hunt continues to grow.

Pam McNealy and Doug Morris present Colin O'Banyel with his scholarship check

On May 12, Hunt participated in the ACE Mentor Program Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, gave the keynote address and Angela Cain, WTHR Community Affairs Director, served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Hunt donated 60 hard hats that were given to students who completed the program this year. This year’s event marked the fifth annual event and presented $42,000 in scholarships. Hunt donated one of the top scholarships in the amount of $4,000 to Colin O’Banyel. Colin is a senior at Arsenal Tech High School and will be attending Ball State this fall for a major in architecture.

The ACE Mentor Program of Indiana is an organization with a commitment to the future of our high school students. Through mentoring, ACE encourages students to learn about and pursue careers in architecture, construction and engineering. In the last five years the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana has awarded $176,000 in scholarships to deserving Indianapolis area students.

Hunt has been very active with the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana over the years with numerous employees serving as board members and mentors since 2005. For more information on the program, be sure to check out the ACE Mentor Program of Indiana website.

Hunt debuted ArtrA software at the CityScape Phase I Development, a 618,000-square-foot, 28-story mixed-use tower in downtown Phoenix. In March, Hunt delivered the building to developer and owner, RED Development. About a month later, the Hunt team delivered a coordinated 6D model to RED’s FM staff.

With ArtrA, the 3D BIM model embeds 6D information electronically, including as-built drawings, operations and maintenance manuals, documentation, commissioning FM data as well as anticipated service schedules — in one place, on one model.

“In implementing ArtrA FM software for the first time on a jobsite in the United States, Hunt is writing an essential new chapter in BIM, significantly enhancing FM applied technology,” said Ondrei Poliak, national director of BIM/VDC Technologies for the company.

Poliak explained that FM teams traditionally rely on O&M manuals and as-built documents for detailed information regarding existing conditions. Without this information reliably available, normal maintenance and emergency repairs can be delayed.

“These bulky multi-volume texts, documents and drawings are often stored in areas not conducive to timely retrieval,” he added. “Or, they disappear over time.” When the need for best information is highest, the owner and its FM personnel face the worst conditions: pressure, frustration, disappointment, expense and disgruntled tenants.

The new 6D software particularly aids owners and developers after the contractor delivers the building: “Information loss — a problem or potential problem for all FM teams — is eliminated with this new technology and process,” Poliak said. “We can now deliver — at the same time — the building and a virtual copy of it with all relevant data.”

The result: When a system or component malfunctions, the FM information is available immediately. No more searching for O&M manuals or not finding them at all. A fan malfunctions, and, within seconds, building staff knows where to find a replacement.

“By coordinating the new ArtrA software with our BIM software, we have added what we believe is a paradigm-changing component to the tool belt of construction industry professionals,” Poliak said.

Jack Robertson and Mike Gausden accepting award.

Hunt Construction Group was recently chosen as the winner of the Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors 2009 Safety Awards for Specialty/Building 100,000 to 300,000 man hours worked. The selection was made from a number of criteria, including Hunt’s safety record.

Additionally, Hunt’s Safety & Loss Prevention Officer, Bill Reaves, was chosen as a runner up for the 2009 Safety Professional of the year.

Hunt prides itself on ensuring that its safety record remains among the best in the industry. Hunt understands that by implementing effective safety systems, including training and employee involvement at all levels will result in low injury and lost workday rates.

This award follows Hunt’s recent recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2009, our Western Division was awarded Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) status from the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health, based on the quality and implementation of our safety and health program. Hunt is the first and only building construction contractor in the state of Arizona to qualify for this prestigious status. VPP status gives a project the privilege of exemption from OSHA’s programmed compliance inspections.

The objective of Enable America is to increase employment among people with disabilities in the United States. Through the VetConnect program, Enable America is dedicated to helping wounded warriors re-acclimate to civilian life or return to active duty. VetConnect enhances existing rehabilitation programs for wounded veterans and actively engages local civic, business and community leaders in the reorientation of wounded warriors to their communities.

For just five dollars, attendees had access to a spread of brisket/sausage, potato salad, beans, bread, cookies and bottled water. With a menu like that it is no surprise there was a big turnout.

The Clark/Hunt team is proud to report in less than two weeks they have raised $2,500 for the Enable America program. A huge thank you goes out to ISEC and DeWALT for sponsoring the event and ensuring 100 percent of the proceeds of the lunch went to the cause.

For more information on the program, visit the Enable America website. If you would like to help support the cause, you may donate by clicking here.

Donations are still being accepted for the Central Indiana Affiliate and you can always donate to the National Susan G. Komen Foundation as well. Hunt has participated in this race for years and once again took home the “Spirit Award” for collecting $1,200 in donations on race day.

If you have not participated in a Race for the Cure event, be sure to check out the photos to see what you are missing. It is a great way to support an important cause, get together with your community and give hope and encouragement for those whose lives have been changed by cancer.

Next year’s race will be held on April 16, 2011.

Rebuilding Together ® preserves and revitalizes houses and communities, assuring that low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled and families with children, may continue to live in warmth, safety and independence.

This year, Hunt’s house is located on Holmes Avenue in Haughville. Improvements and repairs to the home included the installation of a new furnace, new roof, supply and return ductwork to the upstairs, removal of a 12×20 shed, removal of existing fencing, interior and full exterior paining, new fencing, landscaping and general cleanup.

Crowe Horwath was the volunteer group partner. Hunt would like to thank the people at Crowe and the many employees and family members who came out to help make our community a better place in which to live. The house looks great and the homeowner has a house to be proud to call home.