By Jalynn Bugaj
F&S customer relations & communications intern
New drink rail? No problem!
With five Facilities & Services shops collaborating to make a drink rail for the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium, the finished result is nothing short of spectacular. Each shop brought their unique expertise to the table, resulting in a drink rail that not only enhances the club’s aesthetics but also provides a functional and enjoyable experience for all members.
In February, Tim Knox, Associate Director of Athletics, approached Andy Burnett, mill foreperson, to discuss the design of a drink rail for the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium. The proposed location was the east wall, which features large viewing windows offering a prime view of the football field.
This area has always been a favored spot for fans young and old to socialize while keeping an eye on the game. Previously, a common tactic was to push tall tables from around the club to the windows, trying to create makeshift spots for their drinks and belongings.
The addition of a drink rail would enhance the functionality of the space, allowing members to enjoy their beverages while making the most of the view: the game.
With a completion date of August 29, the first home football game, they began brainstorming designs. One idea was to match the wrought iron elements at the bar, while another was to complement the existing woodwork.
Designing the Drink Rail
Burnett sketched a few designs, and the decision was made to match the wrought iron elements found at the bar. Beth Leitz, Records & Information Management Specialist, was able to locate the original drawings for the bar railing.
Burnett reached out to Stuart De Haro, machinist foreperson, for assistance with the fabrication.
“We went and looked at the space together. He suggested incorporating the old University of Illinois logo into the design, which I thought was a brilliant idea,” said Burnett.
With De Haro’s creative input changing the trajectory of the project, Burnett then created a new design featuring the old University of Illinois logo on each of the end sections.
“Redrawing the logo in AutoCAD (a 2D and 3D computer-aided design software) took about a day and a half and the rest of the design took about 30 minutes,” said De Haro.
Burnett was provided with the parameters for the finished top and the size of the base. He determined the dimensions of his components, while De Haro designed the pickets and end pieces to fit the remaining space.
Crafting and Collaboration
When it was time to craft the fence, the machinists cut out the majority of the pieces using a plasma table, a process that took about two and a half days. The fence components were cut from ½” steel plates, requiring a total of five 4′ by 8′ sheets. This included twelve end pieces featuring the old logo and thirty-two pickets, the smaller curved elements.
Each of the end pieces and pickets had flanges on the tops and bottoms made from flat bar stock. These flanges were used to mount the pieces to the base and countertop. They were drilled and countersunk for mounting screws before being welded on by the ironworkers. Once the welding was completed, the parts needed to be sandblasted before painting.
Sandblasting is a crucial step because the steel pieces were covered in mill scale, an oxide layer from the hot-rolling process used to produce them. Paint does not adhere well to this oxide layer. Sandblasting removes the mill scale and roughens the surface, providing more area for the paint to adhere to. The process took about a day and a half.
The pieces were then prepared for painting. Before applying the paint, the painters cleaned them with lacquer thinner to remove any residue from the sandblasting, followed by priming.
The original plan was to paint the pieces the same shade of blue as the wrought iron elements on the existing bar. However, after a color match could not be found, the decision was made to paint them black.
Each coat of paint required a few hours to dry before the pieces could be moved out of the spray booth. The entire painting process, including all steps, took two days to complete.
Burnett wanted the top of the drink rail to match the existing bar top as closely as possible. The chosen color was avonite brazilian blue. Solid Surface Creations in Villa Grove completed the fabrication and installation of the bar top.
The carpenters shop secured lumber to the floor to extend the existing glass stop, making it wide enough to attach the rails. The sheet metal shop then applied a stainless-steel cap to the base.
“The sheet metal shop helped us by installing the rails. With the inconsistencies in the floor, the installation was not near as simple as I had hoped, but they did an excellent job making sure the rails are in line and plumb,” said Burnett.
The Finished Result
Football fans are delighted with the new drink rail, calling it a much-needed and welcome addition.
“I have seats in the 100 level of the stadium, but I’d rather stand and enjoy the game from here,” said one attendee, leaning comfortably against the rail.
“I showed up to the first home game and was shocked—pleasantly surprised by the rail. It’s a fantastic and much-needed upgrade,” another remarked.
“The craftsmanship is impressive. I had no idea this was done by Facilities & Services.”
Overall, the consensus among Fighting Illini fans is clear: the new drink rail is a hit, offering enjoyment for years to come.