Boone Pickens Stadium inspected after earthquakes
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
11/08/11 at 5:58 AM
STILLWATER - John Houck, an engineer and Oklahoma State University vice president who oversaw the renovation of Boone Pickens Stadium, said the Cowboys' football facility apparently did not sustain any damage during either of the two earthquakes that occurred on Saturday.
An additional earthquake struck central Oklahoma at 8:46 p.m. on Monday. As was the case on Saturday night, only minutes after the Cowboys defeated Kansas State 52-45, there were swaying and bouncing movements in the stadium's suite level on Monday.
At Boone Pickens Stadium, there are 10 primary weight-bearing towers - three on the south side, three on the north side and four on the west end.
During inspections on Saturday night and Sunday morning, Houck said, "I looked for structural degradation and did not see any."
Houck said four principal towers in Gallagher-Iba Arena also were inspected. "No distress at all," he reported.
On Monday, officials representing the University of Oklahoma and University of Tulsa reported that their football venues - OU's Memorial Stadium and TU's H.A. Chapman Stadium - also will be examined for damage that might have resulted from the earthquakes.
TU spokesman Don Tomkalski said that because of Chapman Stadium's "solid foundation and concrete base, it's unlikely that there will be (any damage) found."
OU's Memorial Stadium passed inspection following an October 2010 earthquake, and university spokesman Kenny Mossman indicated that the stadium again will be examined in the wake of the latest flurry of temblors.
Houck said that the Boone Pickens Stadium west-end structure, completed in 2009, was designed to withstand the effects "of any seismic activity that might occur."
"The west end is two separate structures - not just one structure," he explained. "The purpose of cutting it in half ... is that it gives you some cushion."
Houck said he spoke with a structural engineer in Florida, "but I think it's a non-issue. We'll continue to look for things like cracked drywall and internal symptoms of damage, but I think we got out of it OK. We should be good to go for the OU game."
The Cowboys play only one more home game this season, hosting Oklahoma for the Dec. 3 Bedlam showdown.
Original Print Headline: Official: OSU stadium OK after quakes
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
