Stadium Flooring
TQL Stadium – FC Cincinnati
- Industries: General Industrial
- Services: Decorative Epoxy Flooring, Polished Concrete Floors, Polished Overlays
Custom Flooring Solutions for a Major Stadium Design Challenge
When TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati’s world-class soccer venue in Cincinnati’s West End, encountered a critical design challenge during construction, the specified polished overlay system for the premium Cincinnatus Club Level seating was no longer available, Hardig Industrial Services’ commitment to engineering a custom solution not only solved the immediate problem but resulted in expanding from a single 30,000 SF scope to four separate contracts totaling 160,000 SF across the stadium.
The Challenge
TQL Stadium represented a landmark $200+ million new construction project in Cincinnati’s West End. The polished overlay system originally specified for the Cincinnatus Club Level seating areas was discontinued by the manufacturer or no longer available. This created an immediate design crisis — the premium club spaces represented some of the stadium’s most visible and revenue-generating areas where aesthetic quality directly impacts guest experience and corporate sponsorship value. Developing the right custom integral color pigment blend and aggregate combination required multiple rounds of mock-ups.
Hardig's Approach
Hardig Industrial Services engineered a custom integral color polished overlay solution, coordinating with multiple material vendors to develop and test custom pigment blends until achieving the perfect aesthetic match.
Direct Collaboration with Design Team
Engaged directly with the architect and designer to understand the design intent, aesthetic requirements, and performance expectations for the Cincinnatus Club Level flooring.
Multi-Vendor Custom Material Development
Hardig coordinated with two different material vendors to engineer a white polished overlay system specifically for the Cincinnatus Club Level application.
Comprehensive Stadium Flooring Solutions
Hardig's problem-solving approach on the overlay specification demonstrated technical capability and reliability that earned trust for additional scopes. The company ultimately delivered four distinct flooring solutions across TQL Stadium:
- Cincinnatus Club Level – 30,000 SF Integral Color Polished Overlay
- Public Concourses & General Areas – 100,000 SF Sealed Concrete
- Service & Back-of-House Areas – 10,000 SF Epoxy Flake Flooring
- Additional Club Level Areas – 20,000 SF Stained Polished Concrete
The Results
- The 30,000 SF Cincinnatus Club Level installation delivered the sophisticated white polished aesthetic envisioned in the original design, creating an upscale environment befitting TQL Stadium's premium hospitality spaces.
- Hardig's dedication to providing solutions for the overlay challenge resulted in being awarded three additional scopes of work: Sealed Concrete (100,000 SF), Epoxy Flake Flooring (10,000 SF), and Club Level Stained Polished Concrete (20,000 SF).
- The flooring systems have performed reliably through multiple soccer seasons, concerts, and special events, withstanding heavy foot traffic, food and beverage spills, frequent cleaning, and the operational demands of a high-profile sports and entertainment venue.
Project Specifications
- Industry: Commercial/Sports & Entertainment
- Client: FC Cincinnati/TQL Stadium Development
- Location: West End, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Project Type: New Construction – $200+ Million Stadium
- Total Square Footage: 160,000 SF (across 4 scopes)
- Project Timeline: Fast-track construction with inflexible opening deadline
- Solutions Delivered: 30,000 SF Integral Color Polished Overlay, 100,000 SF Sealed Concrete, 10,000 SF Epoxy Flake Flooring, 20,000 SF Stained Polished Concrete
- Material Partners: 2 vendor partners for custom overlay development
- Special Applications: Cincinnatus Club Level (premium hospitality), public concourses, service areas, additional club spaces
- Special Challenges: Discontinued specified system requiring custom replacement, color matching through multiple mock-ups, coordination across diverse spaces
- Performance Standards: High foot traffic durability, stain resistance, slip resistance, upscale aesthetic, easy maintenance, ADA compliance
Ready to Discuss Your Commercial Flooring Project?
Planning a stadium, arena, commercial development, or hospitality project requiring diverse flooring solutions? Hardig’s comprehensive capabilities, from custom polished overlays to sealed concrete to decorative epoxy systems, deliver the aesthetic quality and performance durability your project demands.