The unique design created a challenge for the construction manager, Gilbane Building Company of Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as time constraints. Gilbane's primary challenge was to deliver the approximately $44 million arena in 17 months. This was to happen with no exception to change orders as the contract dates were guaranteed so that first hockey game could be played at the beginning of the season. As construction began, Gilbane knew they had to complete the project in time to open the doors to the public. In addition to the tight construction schedule, the design challenge required placing a single-ply roofing membrane on a domed, elliptical structure.

After Gilbane accepted and reviewed bids for the roof project, the firm awarded the job to Titan Roofing Company of Chicopee, Massachusetts. Having worked with Gilbane in the past, and having 20 years experience installing Carlisle single-ply roofing membranes, Titan recommended a Carlisle Sure-Weld® TPO Mechanically-Fastened Roofing System for the arena. According to Peter Baruffaldi, Titan Roofing project manager, "We recommended Sure-Weld membrane because it's fairly simple to install, quickly applied, cost effective and has heat-weldable seams for seaming integrity. Also, we recommended Sure-Weld because the design would allow the flexibility for the City or the building operator to market advertising at anytime. The Sure-Weld system would allow us to heat-weld the logo directly onto the membrane," he added.

To install the Sure-Weld TPO Roofing System, Carlisle polyisocyanurate insulation was attached to the roof deck using fasteners and plates. Gray 60-mil membrane sheets were then placed over the insulation panels, also with Carlisle fasteners and plates. The membrane seams were heat welded or thermally fused to create a continuous monolithic look.

The next time an entertainment powerhouse like Elton John appears at the Verizon Wireless Arena - he's been there twice since it opened - the 11,000 fan capacity will be protected by the massive, architecturally impressive dome. Carlisle's Sure-Weld membrane, the true star of the show, will ensure that no matter what the weather condition, the show will go on.

Titan Roofing, Inc. with three locations in Massachusetts, Chicopee, Quincy and Worcester, was founded in 1978 and has grown to be one of the largest roofing contractors in the northeast. Performing work in both the public and private sectors, the company has been installing Carlisle products for more than 20 years. Titan has been awarded Centurion status by Carlisle (having installed over 100 "Perfect 10" roof applications) and is also a member of Carlisle's elite ESP (Excellence in Single-Ply) fraternity for their quality installation achievements.

Carlisle SynTec Incorporated, headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has been manufacturing single-ply membrane roofing systems for more than 40 years. To date, Carlisle has produced 10 billion square feet of roofing membrane. Carlisle is a business segment of Carlisle Companies Incorporated (NYSE: CSL) and has manufacturing facilities in Carlisle, Greenville, Illinois and Senatobia, Mississippi. For more information, write to Carlisle SynTec Incorporated, P.O. Box 7000, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013; contact Melissa Mulligan, Advertising Department, at 1-800-4-SynTec; or visit our website at www.carlisle-syntec.com.