Take Me Out to The Ballpark?

Even if you’re not a fanatic, it’s always fun to root for the home team. When you’re in the construction business, it’s also fun to imagine getting in on the action of building a sports venue—whether via a contract to finally renovate the hometown fields, or something even bigger. Lots of interesting stadium builds are underway around the country–with more expected in the months ahead. Ready to take your shot?

Goal!!!!!

Big builds for new sporting venues are in the works in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Oklahoma and Indiana. Noting that these “large-scale projects are scheduled to be completed between 2028 and 2030,” Deirdre Pearson encourages checking out all the action at Construct Connect, and shares these three examples: 

1. Huntington Bank Stadium

$2.4 billion | Brook Park, OH | Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are moving 20 minutes inland from their current Lake Erie facility into a fully domed, 67,500-seat venue engineered to host events their current stadium simply can’t, including Super Bowl eligibility. The new facility will feature the largest concourse in the NFL and the shortest average distance from seats to field.

2. New South Philadelphia Arena

$1.5 billion | South Philadelphia, PA | Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers

The Flyers and 76ers are leaving their separate arrangements and sharing a new $1.5 billion arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex….A future WNBA franchise is also slated to call it home….The arena proposal was approved in late 2024 and opening is planned for 2030.

3. EverBank Stadium

$1.4 billion | Jacksonville, FL | Jacksonville Jaguars

Plans include expanding capacity from 63,000 to 70,000, quadrupling concourse width, and enclosing the entire structure in a translucent ViewScape canopy, engineered to cut heat by 70%….Completion is targeted for 2028.

Interesting and clever features at other sports venue builds around the country include 360-degree glass curtain walls, street-level fan activation zones, and access to river walks and water taxis. Even if you’re not building that stuff, though, take heart. You could still get in on lots of local building action. As Construction Dive reminds us, mixed use projects radiate out from big builds, so keep tuned to your regional updates on “retail, hotel, entertainment and residential components and outdoor recreation space….”

New Places To Wine and Dine Your Big Clients?

By the way, if you are eyeing the deluxe seats at a swanky new venue in your area, keep in mind that a big splurge is not exactly the same as excellent, “regular” customer relations. As Construction company consultant Gregg Schoppman reminds us, what matters most is how the customer relationship goes during the project life cycle. For example, on a day to day basis, would customers consider you firm, but fair? Reliable? Communicative even when challenges arise? Pleasant to do business with? Encouraging us not to confuse splashy outlays with the art of really building relationships, Schoppman suggests assessing your approach to customer relations with these questions: 

1. Do you know five things about your direct customer liaison, aside from their name and where they work?
2. Do you feel like your relationship is always strained? Put another way, when you ask the most basic of questions, are you met with resistance?
3. What does your customer really like about your project team? 
4. Are you just the best alternative because you were the lowest price, or do they see the real value you provide?
5. If you are always selected on the basis of price — which is fairly common — does the building process with the customer always feel like a protracted root canal with no anesthesia?

Partnering For Bigger and Bigger Wins

At Colonial Surety Company, we’ve been helping local and national builders scale their businesses since 1930.

As a national, direct, and Treasury-Listed surety bond writer, Colonial Surety Company offers bonding programs for builders of all sizes. 

Our Hometown Bond Program provides local builders with credit based underwriting bonds for up to $250k—no financial statements required.  

Growing construction companies can receive Free Business Credit Scores instantly, just for submitting an easy, speedy Pre-Qual for a surety line of credit in writing. 

Once qualified, you can leverage all the benefits of The Partnership Account® for Contractors, including: a surety bond line of credit for up to 20 million single, and 40 million aggregate. Plus, you’ll:

• Issue your own Bid Bonds Instantly using our powers of attorney. Performance and payment bonds are speedier and easier than ever too. 
• Gain Real-Time Visibility: Use your private dashboard to view your underwriting profile and insightful financial data in real-time.

Put your business on a growth path with a few clicks, now: 

Bonding Programs at Colonial Surety Company

In business since 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial Surety Company is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed. Let’s connect today: Colonial Surety Company.