It may not rival the buildings it connects to in terms of size, scope or impact on campus life, but the skybridge that connects Colorado Mesa University's Maverick Center to the recently completed Foster Field House is an appreciated finishing touch for students, coaches and faculty who use those facilities on a regular basis. The exterior of the elevated pedestrian walkway is attractive too, wrapped in sleek-looking Omega-Lite® ACM panels from Laminators Incorporated.

Home to more than 10,000 students pursuing degrees of various levels, CMU sits on more than 141 acres of land in the heart of Grand Junction, CO. SmithGroup of Denver designed Foster Field House, which includes an indoor track, basketball/volleyball courts, a new classroom, and an athletic training lab. The skybridge connecting the new facility to the Maverick Center was added as an element of that project.

CRW Inc. of Grand Junction, CO field fabricated and installed the 6,650 sq. ft. the Omega-Lite® ACM panels that wrap the bottom and sides of the bridge. Panels were installed using Laminators’ proprietary Dry Seal installation system. Overseeing the project was general contractor Asset Engineering LTD.

The Charcoal Grey Omega-Lite panels, distributed by Riddell & Company LLC, Castle Rock, CO, offer a highly decorative, strong and durable surface finish for exterior wall surfaces. Composed of a polypropylene, lightweight, corrugated core between two finished aluminum sheets, these panels are non-absorbent, water-resistant, and easy to maintain.

The Dry Seal system is ideal for installing the Omega-Lite panels and creating a high-performance, pressure-equalized wall system that compartmentalizes the air cavity and allows for drainage and ventilation. This system reduces moisture-related issues within the wall cavity.

Omega-Lite installed with the Dry Seal system meets AAMA 508 testing standards (Voluntary Test and Classification Method for Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Wall Cladding Systems), as well as NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 285, Miami-Dade County Product Control and Florida Product Approval requirements. Laminators Inc. manufactures high-quality ACM panels that meet these stringent performance levels and provide design professionals and building owners with the confidence that their cladding will withstand the most extreme conditions.