Globe Life Field is a new ballpark being constructed in Arlington, Texas, US, within a parking lot of the Globe Life Park stadium, which is the current home ground of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Texas Rangers and the City of Arlington are building the 1.7 million square foot ballpark under a public-private partnership. The City of Arlington will own the stadium, while Texas Rangers will be in charge of designing and building the facility.
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Texas Rangers and Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company (Globe Life) named the new ballpark under a new naming rights agreement signed in August 2017.
The ground-breaking ceremony of the $1.1bn stadium was conducted in September 2017, and excavation was completed in March 2018. The stadium will be the new home of the Texas Rangers, upon completion in March 2020.
Location of Globe Life Field
The new ballpark is being developed on 13 acres next to the AT&T Stadium (Home of the Dallas Cowboys), and the under-construction Texas Live! Entertainment District.
It will be located across Randol Mill Road from the Globe Life Park stadium and will be accessible through five gates.
Globe Life Field design details
Globe Life Field will have a seating capacity of more than 40,000 and feature an open-viewing theme to create a sense of transparency and asymmetry, as well as enable fans to watch the field from the outside concourses and plaza.
The stadium will feature a low-profile, three-tier retractable roof to the west, which will cover both the infield and the outfield in the event of rain. The design will also incorporate a skylight, allowing natural light to indirectly filter into the stadium even when it is closed, without affecting the vision of players or fans.
The playing surface will be built 70ft below ground level, enabling fans to directly view the game from the outfield. The stadium will also feature a 360º uninterrupted upper concourse, and the seats will be situated closer to the playing surface.
In addition, the ballpark will incorporate a 14ft-high netting behind the dugouts to protect fans from foul balls and stray bats. A climate control system is also part of the stadium, which will protect the players and fans during the warm summer months.
Construction of the new ballpark at Arlington
Construction works of the new ballpark began with the laying of concrete columns in February 2018. The project is estimated to employ more than 2,000 individuals at peak construction.
Major works include excavation, moving sewage lines, storm lines, and necessary utility work. An estimated 97,000 truckloads are required to transport more than 1.3 million cubic yards of dirt from the site.
The stadium construction is estimated to use approximately 35,000t of steel. Further, approximately 6,575 cubic yards of concrete will be used to build 725 concrete columns, while 10,000 cubic yards of concrete will be used for the lower concourse.
Building information modelling (BIM) is being used for the design of the stadium.
Amenities at Globe Life Field
The Globe Life Field will serve as a multipurpose sports and entertainment facility during the off-season, hosting school, college and international level sporting events, as well as entertainment tours.
The field facilities will include a new 400-car parking garage and a total of 24 pedestrian bridges.
Financing of Globe Life Field
The City of Arlington is contributing $500m for the new ballpark and associated infrastructure. The contribution will comprise a half-cent sales tax, 2% hotel occupancy tax, a 5% vehicle rental tax, and $2m a year in rent for the ballpark paid by the Texas Rangers.
The Texas Rangers team will finance the remaining through private loans, cash/equity, parking and ticket tax, and revenue from stadium builder licenses.
Contractors involved
Manhattan Construction Group was awarded the general construction contract for the ballpark project.
CMG Construction Group was sub-contracted by Manhattan Construction for constructing the structural drilled shafts.
HKS is the design architect, while VLK is the associate architect. Stanley D. Lindsey and Associates (SDL) is providing BIM services while JMEG will provide electrical construction and facilities services.
ME Engineers is providing engineering services and has also engaged Acts 29 for providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) consulting services.
