Sports & Entertainment
Dickies Arena & Venue Flexibility
The legendary Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR) takes place every January. This is a three week long extravaganza with displays, competitions, and shows centered around all things related to livestock. They say things are bigger in Texas, and this amazing event only proves that point!
Dickies Arena hosts many of the major events during the FWSSR. To accommodate the rodeo the arena goes through a huge transformation every year. Dirt events are a challenge for any arena, usually seating needs to be reconfigured and tons of dirt has to be trucked in and distributed to exact specifications. This takes a lot of effort for any venue – Dickies arena takes it to a new level.
Elevated Systems Create Elevated Spaces
For the FWSSR the seating around the arena floor is configured and divided into private box seating. These event level "suites" are made possible with a flexible seating systems from Irwin. The six rows of seating highlighted in this photo are installed on VersaTract Dual Rise Platforms. For the FWSSR, these platforms are placed in their lowest position, bringing guests right down to where the action is. This lower level includes access from a generous concourse behind the seating.
The attractive, extruded aluminum wall panels along the concourse conceal additional telescopic seating used for other events.
Custom, removable rails are installed to create the private box seating for the FWSSR. Each box includes six comfy Citation chairs. During events, guests can order food and beverages through via their phone or from an attendant so they don't miss a second of what's happening in the arena.
In the North and South end zones, Portable VersaTract Platforms are removed and stored during the FWSSR to make room for the livestock chutes and gates. In the South end zone, modular decks and rails are installed (highlighted in green) to provide additional space for premium seating.
Additional decks are installed on this level to provide ADA wheelchair and companion seating.
The Ultimate Venue Flex
Following the conclusion of the FWSSR, the arena is converted back to its “base configuration” to hold a variety of events such as basketball, ice shows and concerts. This begins with the dirt being removed from the arena floor, the modular decks are taken down, and rails used in the private boxes are removed and placed into storage.
Once the event floor is clean the extruded wall panels along the lower concourse (highlighted in green below) are removed to expose the recessed telescopic units and the dual rise platforms are raised to their highest level.
Box suites at event level for the three-week long Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Wall panels have been removed & recessed telescopic units are ready to be deployed
VersaTract Dual Rise decks in their highest position.
Rock Solid Decking
Before the recessed platforms can be deployed, Irwin's Modular Deck System is installed in the corners. Once these are in place, floor mount Citation chairs that match the seating in front and behind are secured to the decks.
Safe & Consistent Transitions
The two-row VersaTract platforms are extended from their recessed storage area. Then the back row is rises into position to ensure proper sight lines and a consistent row rise from the permanent concrete risers down the telescopic and the dual-rise platforms.
The forward-fold chairs are locked into their use positions quickly and easily with the help of a spring-assisted mechanism.