Interest in college hoops is at an all-time high. For colleges and universities, basketball arenas are a setting to show off school spirit and exist as a source of campus pride. That's certainly the case at the University of Mississippi where a new $96.5 million multi-purpose facility—dubbed The Pavilion at Ole Miss—is home to the men’s and women’s basketball programs and host to myriad other events, including graduation ceremonies and concerts. The new arena is topped with a curved metal roof, finished with an architectural paint coating by Valspar.
Work on the facility began with a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2014. A weekend-long ceremony then marked the building's grand opening on January 7-10, 2016. The Pavilion's designer was AECOM Technology, an architecture and engineering firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. BL Harbert International, located in Birmingham, Alabama, was the general contractor. The latter firm's resume includes a number of arena projects for other Southeast Conference schools.
At the heart of the facility's construction is a three-story structural steel frame supporting steel trusses. From the exterior, the arena wields an elegant footprint in spite of its scale. The overall appearance is enhanced by a curved and colonnaded entrance that echoes The Pavilion’s signature curved roof. The roof is clad in metal panels manufactured by ACI Building Systems LLC and coated with Valspar’s Fluropon in Terra Cotta, a rich earth-tone hue.
Terra Cotta is one of an extensive list of standard colors that make up Valspar’s Fluropon 70 percent PVDF coating family. A high-performance product with exceptional dirt and stain resistant properties, Fluropon provides durability in all sorts of weather conditions. The combination of ACI panels and Valspar’s coatings ensures The Pavilion’s striking roof will endure lustrously for years to come.
“Valspar has consistently provided ACI with a superior product,” said Tim Davis, ACI’s Vice President of Sales. “We are confident in Valspar’s products to meet or exceed all our customers' requirements.”
ACI's UltraLok Roof System is designed and fabricated with both appearance and weather resistance top-of-mind. The system's 18"-wide panels have a 2"-high seam. When mechanically seamed, a factory applied bead of sealant in the seam ensures weathertightness.
“We are excited to work on such a high profile project in conjunction with ACI,” said Tommy Rogers, Rogers Steel Company. Rogers Steel was the supplier of the coil used by ACI for the manufacture of the roof panels. “The 22 gauge Galvalume substrate on this job, paired with the Valspar Fluropon coating, is not only aesthetically pleasing, but offers a premium roofing system fitting of this project.”
Also playing a role in ensuring the long-term performance of the metal roofing was Precoat Metals. The company's Weirton, WV facility applied the Valspar paint to the base substrate.
The 225,000 square-feet, state-of-the-art arena seats 9,500 fans. In addition to the basketball court, it features locker room suites for players, athletic coaches and officials. The complex also includes first class amenities such as a private student concourse, courtside and baseline seating for students, three premium club areas – the Courtside Club, the All-American Club and the Pavilion Club - more than 1,700 premium seats, and an intimate seating bowl.
Photos courtesy of The University of Mississippi