Category: Construction

WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS ANNOUNCE BALLPARK IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2023

A New Era

Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium will look a lot different when the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers take the field in 2023.  Third Base Ventures, the owners of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, announced a major renovation project for the home of the Midwest League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.

The project will be undertaken by Appleton-based Boldt Construction with the design provided by Pendulum Studio, an architectural firm out of Kansas City, Missouri specializing in baseball/sports stadiums.  Boldt built the stadium, which opened in 1995.  Both Boldt and Pendulum worked together on the most recent renovation after the 2012 season. 

This set of stadium renovations has been developed to meet the new standards for Minor League Baseball facilities as set forward in the Player Development License granted to the Third Base Ventures in 2020. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers under the leadership of Rob Zerjav have consistently proven themselves to be thought-leaders in baseball operations, community advocacy, and family friendly entertainment.  

Project Details

There will be new seating areas, improved player amenities, an expanded concourse that will encircle the entire stadium, and an eye-catching three-story slide as part of this stadium upgrade.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to announce the stadium renovation plans for the 2023 season which will create one of the best home clubhouses in all Minor League Baseball while drastically increasing the quality of space for visiting teams,” said Rob Zerjav, President, CEO, and Managing Partner of Third Base Ventures/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.  “We can’t wait for our fans to experience the new stadium renovations which will add new outdoor suites above the left field wall, widen the existing concourse, allow fans to walk around the entire field and – last but not least – take a ride on the three-story slide in the leftfield corner.”

The slide, a fixture of Milwaukee Brewers baseball for years, is an homage to the Timber Rattlers parent club.  There will be one difference between the slides.  The slide at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium will be available for all fans to use during games. 

The existing concourse will be widened by pushing handicapped seating towards the field while increasing the capacity for those fans in wheelchairs.  Fans will now be able to walk around the entire field as the existing boardwalk will be connected to a new walkway and seating area above the leftfield wall that will wrap around to the area near the Festival Grill and Brews on Third.  

The seating area above the left field wall will feature three covered, open-air suites as well as additional ticketed seating and general admission seating.   Each of the three outdoor suites above the outfield wall will seat twenty with seating food and beverage options.  The three suites may be combined into one 60-person suite for larger groups.  

Another new area for fans is the Home Plate Club, an all-inclusive picnic area directly behind the box seats in Sections 100, 101, and 102, to accommodate groups of 75 or more. This area will include a mixture of drink rail and high-top table seating with a 90-minute all-you-can-eat buffet that includes food and two beverages per person.

2023 Vision

“Pendulum’s design collaboration with the Timber Rattlers on the successful 2013 renovation of Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium was transformational – it made a statement,” said Pendulum’s lead architect and CEO, Jonathan O’Neil Cole. “One of the things that makes the current phase of planned improvements so special is the fact that our organizations continue to grow together.  The latest round of amenities are a culmination of our experience in the market place, new ideas, proven successes, and innovative ways of creating unique and exciting experiences for attendees at games and events.  We sincerely believe visiting organizations, Timber Rattlers players, coaching staff, and fans will be blown away by how an already first class facility will be taken to the next level.  The bar has just been raised for all comparable sports facilities across the nation.”

A major change for the players is that the home and visitor clubhouses will be switching sides for next season.  The visitors are moving to the current Timber Rattlers clubhouse and will be in the third base dugout starting in 2023.  The Rattlers will be in the first base dugout and the current visitor clubhouse will get an extreme makeover before the Timber Rattlers can call it their home. 

The new home clubhouse will be twice the size of the existing home clubhouse and will feature a new circular locker room, two indoor batting cages, two player-focused areas for nutrition and relaxation, expanded offices for coaches and a dedicated female locker room, an expanded training area, and a large weight room connected to an outdoor player agility field. 

Click the link above to view the full press conference via Fox 11 News

Lighting the ‘FUSE’ on a Dream Like Ballpark In NC

“Architect Cole has broken the code for creating 5,000-seat ballparks for half the budget of other such facilities.” – Jock Mock USA Today Sports

USA Today Sports Weekly released an in-depth article by Joe Mock. The article chroniclesMock’s recent visit to CaroMont Health Park, home of the Gastonia Honey Hunters. The Honey Hunters are the newest Atlantic League team located in Gastonia, NC.

on May 27, 2021 CaroMont Health Park opened to a capacity crowd. To add to the fanfare, Earvin “Magic” Johnson made an in-person appearance as a show of support to the Gastonia community and team owner Brandon Bellamy.

Click this link to read the full article: USA Today Sports Weekly June 23 – 29, 2021

CaroMont Health Park/FUSE District Phase Two Development Concept

Phase one construction for the ballpark is complete, now our sights are set on the surrounding commercial development. Pendulum authored an advance look at what phase two may entail – see image above for a broad overview. Pendulum will continue to expand our efforts at “breaking the code” forward thinking design. Affordable solutions to economic development with sport facilities as the catalyst for growth is our specialty.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PENDULUM MAKES FURTHER INVESTMENT IN GASTONIA

Pendulum gives back to Gastonia Community Kids & Local Heroes

Media Contact:

Veronica Jeon

Gastonia Honey Hunters

media@gohoneyhunters.com

(202) 803-3303

Gastonia, NC – June 10, 2021 – The Gastonia Honey Hunters Baseball Team announced a new initiative that will positively impact communities in Gastonia. Jonathan Cole, Founding Principal of Pendulum Studio, and architect of the CaroMont Ballpark in the FUSE District has entered into an agreement with the Team to purchase season tickets, which will be donated to deserving students or local heroes in the City. 

The initiative titled, “Mayor’s Choice Presented by Pendulum” is a three-year commitment for four (4) season tickets to Honey Hunters home games. The seats are located on the front row directly behind home plate, which will provide attendees with the ultimate baseball game experience. In partnership with the City of Gastonia, deserving youth and local residents will be selected to attend each game.  

 “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Cole for this substantial contribution to the Gaston community,” said Gastonia’s Mayor Walker E. Reid, III. “Our residents are a precious resource, and it is important that we work together as a community to help them see that they have our support.”

One of the leading minds in the sports facility design world, Jonathan Cole has led design efforts on over 28 minor league ballparks across the nation in the past 25 years. 

“We are thrilled to announce our newest community-based initiative and we are delighted to assist the underserved in our community,” said Team Owner Brandon Bellamy. “Through this partnership, we are grateful to Jonathan Cole and Pendulum to be able to provide local residents and youth with this incredible experience.”

Mr. Cole said that the partnership between the City, Brandon Bellamy, and the Honey Hunters inspired him to invest in Gastonia’s future that starts with the youth, specifically youth that may never have had the opportunity to experience a professional sporting event from the front row. 

“During the past three years Pendulum has worked with the City of Gastonia, I’ve been impressed with Mayor’s Reid’s consistent vision for the city’s growth and development,” said Jonathan Cole, Pendulum Founding Principal. “The Mayor and Brandon Bellamy have always put emphasis on the fact that the ballpark is for everyone. It is my commitment to build bridges and develop emotional muscle memory that encourages the community to give back to others when they can.” 

The donation represents an ongoing commitment by Pendulum Studio to provide support that assists vulnerable populations, which has historically included financial assistance toward disaster relief and recovery, promoting positive relationship skills, and building mental health resiliency.

To nominate a deserving youth or recognize a local hero in the Gaston community, click here.

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About Gastonia Honey Hunters Baseball: Located in Gastonia, NC, just minutes west of Charlotte, the Gastonia Honey Hunters is one of the newest teams in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB). The Atlantic League is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a leader in baseball innovation, and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Led by team owner, Brandon Bellamy, a passionate and purpose-driven real estate entrepreneur and CEO of The Velocity Companies, Honey Hunters Baseball aims to provide Gaston County with family-friendly entertainment and first-rate baseball, taking the field for its inaugural season in 2021. The newly-constructed 5,000-seat FUSE ballpark is the team’s home field, offering fans an intimate and memorable experience, as well as a year-long calendar of exciting events, including concerts, sporting events and community celebrations. For more information on Honey Hunters Baseball, please visit www.GoHoneyHunters.com. To sign up for Honey Hunters announcements, please join our mailing list here. Instagram: @GoHoneyHunters; Twitter: @GoHoneyHunters; Facebook: /GoHoneyHunters
 
About Jonathan O’Neil Cole AIA, NCARB, NOMA: Jonathan O’Neil Cole is the founding principal of Pendulum Studio, a Kansas City, MO based architectural practice that specializes in the design and documentation of civic structures, multi-family housing, and sports facilities. Cole is responsible for national business development, design, and management of sports projects. He has an eye for design that is complimented by his ability to realize in every project the potential to deliver long-term value to his clients and their stakeholders. Cole has developed an expertise in the development of community-oriented designs that foster environmental and economic sustainability. It is for this reason that Cole is considered one of the leading minds in the sports facility design world. For more information, please visit www.pendulumkc.com.

FUSE District – Rounding Third

On October 30th the City of Gastonia, NC hosted a series of tours of the soon to be completed ballpark. Despite the global pandemic construction is on track for first quarter 2021 events. Pendulum’s CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole toured the FUSE complex with VenuesNow’s Don Muret and talked shop.

In addition to Cole and Muret, Brandon Bellamy – Owner of the team, and Mayor Walker Reid III joined the tour and offered their thoughts on this exciting project. For an in depth account of the visit see below.

VenuesNow Coverage of Construction

Page one of VenuesNow article dated November 28, 2020
Page 2 of VenuesNow article dated November 28, 2020
Page 3 of VenuesNow article dated November 28, 2020

On Deck: FUSE District Phase Two

Fuse District Phase Two rendering illustrating plans for surrounding development

The intent from the very inception of the Fuse District is economic redevelopment. The Velocity Companies has a reputation for just that, so we are optimistic about what the future holds for the City of Gastonia. As stated in previous posts, the vision of Mayor Walker Reid III and City Manager Michael Peoples has generated excitement in the region. The recent groundbreaking of the Trenton Mill housing and Durty Bull Brewing Company projects is proof of growing momentum.

For Immediate Release: Pendulum CEO Named SBJ Power Player

November 23, 2020

Jonathan O’Neil Cole has been named a “Power Player” in design by Sports Business Journal, an award wining publication that reports on the biggest stories in the sports business. SBJ asked Cole what comes to mind when the term “Power Player” is used to describe Pendulum, he stated:

“My goal for the Pendulum brand has always been for people to hear our name and instead of saying – who? they say – oh yeah, we’ve heard of them. Pendulum being named a Power Player under my leadership means we are gaining ground on that goal, we’re making an impact on the market. That being said, we can’t rest on past accomplishments, we’re keenly focused on making an impact on the future of the sports market.” 

Cole was one of 36 named architects to SBJ’s design list, 17 contractors, 9 developers, 11 specialists, 2 professional teams, 8 owners representatives, and 6 engineers – 89 honorees total. See the full article below for additional details on this prestigious acknowledgment.

Sports Business Journal Power Players description of selection criteria part one
Sports Business Journal 2020 Power Players description of selection criteria part two.
Sports Business Journal 2020 Power Players profile of Pendulum CEO Jonathan O'Neil Cole

Pendulum in the News Recently

Pendulum’s Montreal Excitation Concept Wins RTF Design Award

Pendulum’s Future Stadia Concept Wins RTF Design Award

For Immediate Release – Pendulum CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole Announced As Member of 2020 VenuesNow All-Stars Class

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FUSE District – Phase One Progress & Announcements

One of the most fulfilling aspects of architectural practice is witnessing vision progress toward reality.  Pendulum’s CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole spent time on site this week reviewing construction progress with City of Gastonia staff.  The project is currently on a trajectory for an on time completion January 2021.

The project experienced an additional boost with Brandon Bellamy, owner of the Velocity Companies announced as approved owner of the Gastonia, NC Atlantic League franchise.

Click Brandon’s name above for a link to the Baseball America official press release.

History was made…and it’s only the beginning.

Acknowledgements:

  • City of Gastonia, NC – Tenacity
  • Brandon Bellamy – Fuel
  • Jonathan Cole Sr. – Vision…

The Fuse District Vision – Gastonia, NC

As we progress closer to the completion of the Fuse District Sports Complex scheduled to open in 2021, Our CEO pauses for a moment to look forward.  We applaud the City of Gastonia, NC for their ability to “see the finish line before the race ever started.”

 Thank you for your willingness to trust the process and collaborate with us on your personal version of the  “Small Big Idea.”

Acknowledgements:

Behr Productions – Original Music Score

City of Gastonia – Vision

 

For Immediate Release: Pendulum Selected Winner of 2020 Rethinking The Future Award

Rethinking The Future announced the Winners of their RTF Awards 2020 on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, including Pendulum’s Sports and Recreation Project [Concept] entry, ‘Future Stadia‘. The conceptual design for the modular sports complex ranges in capacity from 3,000 seats to a total possible capacity of 10,000 seats. The design was created with the intent of targeting communities that desire to promote economic development with sport as the catalyst for growth.

Click image above to view our Project Image Gallery and video

Rethinking The Future Awards are one of the most renowned awards in the field of architecture and design in the world. The Rethinking The Future Awards program aims to bring exceptional works in the field of Architecture the prestige they deserve. The objective of these awards is to raise awareness around the strategies Architects and Designers are employing to deal with the contemporary global challenges, and to bring the best of such projects into the light to inspire the next generation.

About Rethinking The Future:  RTF provides an interactive platform of the highest standard, acknowledging the projects amongst creative and influential industry professionals.  Born out of the need to create ‘fresh perspectives’ on international trends in architecture and design, RTF is now a well-established platform that is the go-to platform for millions of people around the world. RTF stirs discussions on contemporary issues in the field of architecture and the radical approach required to deal with them.

Many thanks to our amazing team: Mickey Ahammed, Theresa Cole, John Iiams, Pat Ryan, and Michaela Simpson.  Without talent, vision, and collaboration the Pendulum does not swing!

 

For Immediate Release – Pendulum Thinks It’s Time For A New Downtown Royals Ballpark

Click this hyperlink to visit our interactive model at www.kansascitylovestheroyals.com

Client Award – Wyco Vintage “Hustlers of the Year”

Our first award goes to Wyco Vintage located at 3535 Broadway Blvd Unit R104 Kansas City, MO 64111.   Wyco Vintage owner Pat Klima is well known for having the largest curated collection of vintage tees in the world.  His team’s resourcefulness and passion for the culture grew into an assembly of collectible art, clothing, sneakers, and brands that include Supreme New York, Off-White, and Nike Air Jordan  just to name a few.  When Pat and partner Adam Compo reached out to Pendulum with an idea to move from their storefront in Merriam, KS to the new Broadway Blvd location just a few blocks from downtown we started with a sit down at our studio (see image below…discussion and deep thought) – “we immediately vibed off of each other’s energy and critical eye” said Pendulum founding principal Jonathan Cole.  There’s a lot that could be said about the process and journey from conversation to lines on paper, to virtual reality model, to the final built product.  The entire process took about six weeks; yes…we hustled.

Cole commented further, “one of the cool things about this project was being exposed to Pat’s breadth of knowledge of the vintage culture, he’s  plugged in beyond trends, the entire team has a nose for authenticity that is refreshing.  We got on a wavelength  rather quickly that resulted in us finishing each other’s sentences…Pat is ten years ahead…which is exactly where I like to think I am.”

Wyco Vintage is hands down the rightful recipient of the “Hustler of the Year Award”.  Since opening their doors October 17, 2019, they’ve brought a new energy to the vintage and sneaker culture in Kansas City – we can’t think of a storefront like it.  As Wyco’s notoriety has increased there’s been notable celebrity foot traffic in the store from NFL stars to internationally recognized musicians.  As far as we are concerned Wyco Vintage needs to be on everyone’s radar, not as up and comers but real hustlers and movers and shakers in the game.

When asked to comment on the award, Wyco Vintage owner Pat Klima stated “I Appreciate Pendulum for recognizing the work our team has been putting in.  The last year was our best yet and 2020 is already off to an insane start.  This acceleration wouldn’t be possible without the design and expertise Pendulum provided in building out the store.  The number one compliment we get at the shop is “you guys have the nicest store”.  We can’t wait to start working on the next location with the Pendulum squad!”

For more info and images of the store click the link: Wyco Vintage Broadway

Acknowledgements:

Mickey Ahammed (Pendulum) – Designer

Dale Frommelt (Fab+) – Collaborator/Fabricator/Installation

Pascal Meya (Meya Metalworks) – Custom Steel Fabrication

Jonathan Cole, AIA, NCARB, NOMA (Pendulum) – Facilitator

Wyco Vintage – Hustlers