Opening Day approaches...
By Bill Hohlfeld
LMCT Coordinator
Friday, January 16, 2009
It is an undeniable fact that no expense has been spared in the construction of the new Yankee Stadium. Sports fans will realize this as soon as they enter the impressive new 12,000 square foot “Great Hall” which runs the length of 161st St. from River Avenue to Jerome Avenue. There they will see the handiwork of Component Assemblies Inc. It’s an array of four foot by eight foot stainless steel ceiling panels which are suspended from back to back, 20 gauge, 6 inch studs. The extravagant design was arrived at, “not so much because of the weight of the panels” says Lather Foreman John Coffey, but rather as “a precaution against wind shear.” In total, there are four separate “inside” shops doing work at the stadium. Mike Seib’s crew at Island Diversified is busy installing 5/8” gypsum board as well as modifying the exterior of cast-in-place concrete columns and installing exterior lath which will receive plaster simulating stone. Rich Ahearn’s contingent at Jacobsen Inc. is building concession stands and adding sound proofing to the players’ locker rooms and associated areas, while Bobby Kay’s complement from Nastassi Associates are hard at work on upscale restaurants that provide stadium seating such as Legends, Hard Rock Cafe, Stadium Club and Dugout Pub. (If you’re thinking of stopping in any time after opening day, season tickets top out at about $243,000 - but they throw in the steak.) The series of projects, which began last April, are expected to reach completion by the upcoming holidays. At their peak of operation they provided work for some 25 Lathers, who may never be able to afford the restaurant seating, but now, just may be able to afford widescreen TV’s to watch the games on.
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