The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is suing the architect of the Mackay Stadium renovation because it does not accommodate people with disabilities.
The university is requesting $3.9 million to fix the mistakes of the WorthGroup Architects and make the stadium ADA compliant after the upcoming fall season, reports Nevada Sports Net.
It argues the WorthGroup “is contractually responsible for additional construction costs that result from negligent errors and/or omissions in its design services.”
According to an external audit by Ed Roether, an architect with national ADA experience, the stadium didn’t have the required number of seating available for fans in wheelchairs and with the seating that was available, they wouldn’t be able to see the field.
“Based upon my observations of the 2015 design documents, it is my professional opinion that the Worth Group lacked a basic understanding of the accessibility requirements for incorporating wheelchair seating in assembly areas with fixed seating,” wrote Roether.
UNR graduate Joe Arrascada praised the school’s decision to file the lawsuit. He has worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs VA Hospital in Reno for 18 years and runs his own business for people with disabilities.
Arrascada, who has been in a wheelchair for 33 years, used to be a season ticket holder but stopped getting tickets because he was unable to easily get around the stadium.
“At the conclusion of the next renovation, I don’t just challenge the architect and construction [crews] to walk the stadium,” Arrascada said. “I challenge the Regents to go to the university, get a walker, use a scooter, use a wheelchair. Go to Mackay Stadium after the conclusion of the new upgrade and see if it is fully wheelchair accessible.”
