For Structures Unlimited Inc., the results of the New England Patriots’ season had greater consequences than who wins the office pool.
The Bow manufacturing company has contracted with Gillette Stadium, along with the Kraft Group, to build a 4,894-square-foot canopy and patio area on the 300 level, but had to wait until the end of the Patriots’ home schedule to begin. Then they had to wait even longer, as the team’s winning streak led to the team hosting and winning the AFC championship game.
Now, with construction slated to begin at the end of the month, the company has barely four months to complete the project before the stadium’s concert season kicks off with a U2 show on June 25, but no one at Structures seems to mind: They’re big Patriots fans, and they’re happy to trade a tighter deadline to see their team succeed.
“In the construction business, everyone’s goal is to start early, but this was just the opposite,” Mark McNichol, director of sales for Structures, said in a press release. “We were hoping for a late start because that meant the Patriots were going to the Super Bowl. There are a lot of Patriots fans here.”
It’s not like Structures hasn’t worked on stadium-sized projects before – they partnered with Populous Architects of Kansas City, Mo., to work on the rooftop for the great hall in Yankee Stadium. But what’s Yankee Stadium to a New Englander?
“There is definitely some pride in being able to work with and for the hometown team,” McNicol said.