Remodeling Stadiums and Athletic Centers
Stadiums are host to athletic events, concerts, political rallies – all manner of events that build and support communities of people. Taking part in these events means enjoying the energy and everything that comes with it, including drinks and snacks, merch, and, of course, other people. All of that may be difficult for individuals with disabilities. Unless, of course, the stadium has been designed or modified to provide equal access.
Lumen Field
Lumen Field is home to the Seahawks football team in Seattle, Washington. Known for the loudest crowd in all of football, the best seat in the house – as noted by Seahawk fans – is the Hawks Nest.
Lumen Field
Home of the Seahawks, Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, can seat almost seventy thousand people for a football game – with about seven hundred dedicated wheelchair accessible seats. While there are no bad seats at Lumen Field, any Seahawks fan will tell you the best seats in the house are in the Hawks Nest.
Located in the North end-zone, the Hawks Nest features an upper, all bleacher-style seating area overlooking the field, and a lower section that’s closer to the action and provides seating with chair-backs.
Modernizing Lumen Field
Lumen Field had begun a modernization project that, amongst other things, aimed to improve amenities and circulation paths for fans. One area in particular slated for improvement was a space underneath – and that provided access to – the Hawks Nest.
As part of this project, Lumen Field wanted to use this area as an opportunity to improve access to the Hawks Nest and fan amenities nearby, making it more easily available to Seahawks fans – specifically, those with disabilities.
However, whatever option Lumen Field chose had to provide access to a second story, be ADA compliant, and deliver a clean, modern look that fit with their vision for the facility. Additionally, because the space was open to the weather, the solution had to be capable of withstanding the elements and, of course, some rough handling from fans.
Looking for Options
A principal architect at MEIS Architects contacted Ascension regarding Lumen Field’s modernization goals. They chose Ascension because of the modern design of the Ascension wheelchair line, and the guarantee that Ascension engineers would ensure that whatever lift was chosen would be ADA compliant.
Solution - Ascension Clarity
After discussing the project with Ascension Accessibility Specialists and engineers, it was decided that an Ascension Clarity was the best choice. The Clarity provides:
- Full ADA Compliance
- Second Story Access
- Small Footprint
- Modern Aesthetics
- Weather proof control panels
- Extreme durability capable of withstanding the harsh climate and treatment by fans
Conclusion
In the end, Lumen Field’s custom Clarity provides on-demand accessibility to the Hawks Nest and Seahawks fans, while standing up to hard use and that notorious Seattle weather.
State Farm Stadium
The management firm for the Arizona Cardinals contacted Ascension after receiving a referral from the Las Vegas Raiders’ management team, to whom Ascension had earlier provided wheelchair lifts.
From the Red Zone to Casita Seating
The Arizona Cardinals project involved converting the Cardinals Red Zone into a premium seating area, now known as the Casitas. As part of the project, the stadium wanted to provide ADA compliant accessibility with wheelchair lifts to rooftop bar and viewing areas on each Casita.
This project involved several challenges:
- Each Casita is portable to allow the flexibility the stadium needs for its numerous events. As a result, the lifts also needed to be portable to accommodate.
- Each Casita is two stories tall, requiring a lifting height of 168 inches – the maximum height of a wheelchair lift – creating greater complexity in achieving portability from an engineering perspective.
- Finally, the deadline for delivery and installation was tight in order to be ready for the season opening game. This required a great deal of strategic planning and careful execution.
Looking for Options
The management firm for the Arizona Cardinals contacted Ascension after receiving a referral from the Las Vegas Raiders’ management team, to whom Ascension had earlier provided wheelchair lifts.
The Solution: Custom Portable Clarity
Ascension’s Clarity wheelchair lift is capable of reaching the required lifting height, making it the clear choice for this project. However, the Clarity is not standard in a portable option and thus required our engineers to think outside the box. As a result, Ascension engineers developed a portable exoskeleton that delivered portability and ensured the lift met all necessary specifications and functionality requirements.
The major hurdles for the installation primarily involved delivery logistics. The unit had to be transported on its side while fully assembled. Upon arrival, a rigging crane was used to carefully tip the unit back to its upright position, followed by a forklift to maneuver it into place.
Once positioned, the Casitas’ adjustable-height jacks were raised to align with the upper landing plate and securely attached. Fortunately, the arena had multiple power access points, so electrical connectivity was not a challenge. This method ensured a smooth and efficient installation process.
Conclusion
In the end, State Farm Stadium’s custom portable Clarities provide on-demand accessibility to the Casitas in the Red Zone to provide an amazing game experience to all Cardinals fans!
Ascension Wheelchair Lift Solutions
Protégé
The Protégé is an ADA-compliant wheelchair lift used in many low-rise situations. The lift’s low-profile and modern design enables it to integrate well into surrounding architecture. Portable options provide an easy method of delivering access to multiple locations, while its large window area serves to enhance rider safety, enable caregiver monitoring, and dispel rider anxiety.
Clarity
Like its siblings, the Clarity excels in ADA compliance and ease of use. The lift is compact and reliable, requiring little space for installation. Its modern appearance and enclosed design offer both safety and aesthetic value. The Clarity offers up to two-story travel, as well as pitless installation and rampless access, making the lift a top-tier accessibility solution.
Virtuoso
For the Virtuoso, safety is paramount. Fully ADA compliant, the lift also features an enclosed design to prevent falls, as well as 360° safety skirting to stop casual access to the underside. The Virtuoso’s user-friendly interface and quiet operation provide a seamless experience for all users, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a safe accessibility solution.
How Can Ascension Lifts Help You?
Ascension Has What You're Looking For
A place must be both accessible and good looking. Fortunately, that fits Ascension to a T.
Lifecycle and Support
Ascension was founded in 1990 and we offer the longest, most comprehensive warranty in the business, meaning; we’re not going anywhere. Ascension’s 10-Year Drivetrain, 4-Year Parts, 90-Day Labor warranty is a commitment from us to you that your wheelchair lift will run when you need it, where you need it, for a long, long time.
Lifting Height
Many of our customers ask about lifting height, as they all have varying needs. Ascension offers low-rise capable lifts (Protégé), rise up to two stories (Clarity), and anything in between (Virtuoso). No matter where you need access, Ascension has you covered.
Outer Dimensions
Installing anything requires space and a campus has precious little to spare. That’s why Ascension wheelchair lifts feature small footprints. This enables each lift to fit easily into compact locations, while still supplying an ADA compliant inner platform. Ascension footprints include: Protégé: 52″ W x 61″ L, Clarity: 48″ W x 68″ L, Virtuoso: 52″ W x 64″ L
Operational Volume
Every Ascension wheelchair lift utilizes some version of a hydraulic drive system. As such, each system is both reliable, strong, and quiet. Descending, each lift is virtually silent. While ascending, each lift features a volume about normal conversation level (~60 dB).
Etched Windows
Ascension can provide etched windows on any lift to include facility or organization name and logo, scenes, and much more
Custom Paint Colors
Ascension offers choice in color so that your lift matches with you vision, at no additional cost.
Additional Industry Information
Additionally, Ascension provides several benefits that standout among our competition:
Pitless Design
Unlike many wheelchair lifts, Ascension lifts features a pitless design to remove the need for excavation or damage to a location during the lift’s install.
Towerless Design
Rather than the large tower used to hold lifting mechanisms common to wheelchair lifts, Ascension lifts feature a towerless design, made possible from housing the lifting mechanisms in the walls of the lifts. This enables each Ascension lift to maintain a low profile aesthetic and small footprint.
Flush Entrance
Each Ascension wheelchair lift features a flush entrance and exit without the need for ramps. Ramps require greater floor space to use and thus a larger area for a lift installation.
Window Space
Each Ascension wheelchair lift has been designed to maximize the clear window space present in order to prevent rider anxiety and allow caregivers to monitor the rider.
Fully ADA Compliant
Every Ascension wheelchair lift does comply with ADA, ADAAG, and ASME A18.1 requirements.
Tell Us About Your Project!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ascension wheelchair lifts provide all applicable operating and safety requirements necessary for compliance with ADA standards.
All Ascension lift models come with a standard 10-year drive train, 4-year parts, and 90-day labor warranty, setting an unparalleled industry benchmark. Optional extended warranties are also available.
Just give us a call at (520) 881-3993 and ask for Ascension Sales; you may also use our Contact Us form or email us.
In general, we recommend inspecting the lift’s hydraulic fluid level at six-month intervals. For other specific questions regarding maintenance, get in touch with us.
Typically due to code requirements; however, some installation locations are better served with permanent modal wheelchair lifts instead of portable versions. Because states, regions, and municipalities throughout the US and elsewhere all adopt different versions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, a permanent wheelchair lift, rather than a portable lift, may be required by law.
All Ascension lifts may be used outdoors. For extended outdoor use, cold climates, and other harsh environments, an optional Outdoor Package is available.
The Ascension Virtuoso 5460 Model Series has a 60” maximum rise and the Ascension Protégé 5442 Model Series has a 42” maximum rise. The Ascension Clarity 16E features a 168” maximum rise.
Some Ascension models can interface with some full-height doors in some locations. Please contact us to get the answers for your specific application.
There are over 100 Ascension wheelchair lift configurations! Therefore, there are no one-size-fits-all drawings. For project-specific drawings, contact us to get appropriate configurations for your unique requirements.
Ascension wheelchair lifts are designed for use in public facilities, although they may be suitable for use in some home applications.
Ascension’s standard availability for portable models is two weeks after receipt of order. Permanent models are custom made; therefore, the lead time can vary from four to ten weeks.
Right here, of course! We sell direct as the manufacturer. Contact us today for a free estimate!
Yes! Ascension sells direct as the manufacturer in many areas worldwide.
Yes! The Ascension Virtuoso 5460P and the Ascension Protégé 5442P may be CE-marked for distribution in the European Union.