Columbia Challenger Stadium

DIG Engineers provided comprehensive planning, programming, cost estimating, design, documentation, and construction administration services for the new Challenger Columbia Stadium. The stadium honors the astronauts from the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.   

Challenger Columbia Stadium seats nearly 10,000 spectators with an open concourse concept on both home and visitor sides that features a cutting-edge synthetic turf field and the latest generation in full-pour track systems. The multi-level press box includes a film deck and a state-of-the-art, student-operated media and control room. The centralized field house includes locker rooms, athletic offices, a community area, viewing decks, and support facilities. The site provides a venue for athletic games and tournaments, graduation ceremonies, track and field competitions, fine arts exhibitions, and more.

The project site underwent a comprehensive master plan process with several committees and end users. All future infrastructure and roadways were analyzed, and the stadium and future venues were planned for the site. The stadium’s orientation and placement allowed for grand stadium vistas from all approaching and adjacent freeways.

While the stadium complex was constructed in 2016, DIG managed the 2020 synthetic turf replacement. Hurricane Ike damaged the field, and the replacement was funded in part by FEMA.

The new master-planned site was designed and constructed according to the requirements of all local regulatory agencies and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).