A stunning copper Field-Lok standing seam roof is showcased on the 1863 Club at the historic Saratoga Racetrack in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.  The building won first place for the category of commercial roofs in ATAS International’s project of the year awards for 2019. 

The Saratoga Racetrack opened in 1863 and is one of the oldest racetracks in America. The 1863 Club is one of the largest single investments to be made at the track since the clubhouse in 1928. Preservation of the historic character of the Saratoga Racetrack was paramount for this project. The 36,000-square-foot, three-story luxury facility overlooks the track with a walkway over the paddock that connects to the existing clubhouse, under which the horses pass on their way to the track.

The first floor is a banquet space called the Rail that can accommodate 500 people. The second floor has an exclusive members club, named Legends Hall, which can hold up to 100. The third floor offers five luxury suites designed for groups of up to 50, and an adjoining lounge. Vast views of the property are enjoyed from the balconies off the second and third floors. 

“It was challenging to keep this project on schedule, so that it would be completed in time for the 2019 Saratoga Meet. Panels had to be ordered in several phases as the roof deck became available for field measurements," said Carl Veglia, project manager with Mid-State Industries. "Knowing that the pressure of the deadline was high, ATAS’ turnaround/delivery time was accelerated and excellent for the duration of the project, which was completed on schedule. The combined efforts of ATAS, Mid-State Industries, Erie Materials, SOSH NY, Frost Hurff Architects, and MLB Construction Services made this project the success that it was.”

Special facets of this project, as shared by Veglia, included:

• Tapered panels on a radiused wraparound porch — mechanically seamed tapered panels are not commonly offered by most manufacturers
• Half-round 16-ounce copper gutters and downspouts by ATAS
• Seven finials custom crafted by Mid-State Industries, per architect’s design to complement historic finials on adjacent grandstand
• Multiple roof pitches and tie-ins to valleys, hips, and ridges at towers created challenging details
• All roofs were vented either at the ridge, the apron flashing at the walls, or through the Z clips attaching the finials
• 20-year weathertight warranty was provided, per specifications

The roof line on the 1863 Club was designed to harmonize with the existing copper and slate roof on the grandstand and clubhouse.

Approximately 18,000 square feet of 20-ounce copper Field-Lok panels were installed by Mid-State Industries of Schenectady, N.Y. and were purchased through Erie Materials of Albany, N.Y. The architects for the project were SOSH NY of New York City, and Frost Hurff Architects of Saratoga Springs, NY.  The contractor was MLB Construction Services of Malta, N.Y.

The Field-Lok panel chosen for this project has a 1-1/2-inch high seam, and the panel width is 19-7/8 inches, which is a custom size.  Field-Lok is a standing seam panel system and is available in four different seam heights. The Triple-Lok design on the 2-3/8-inch seam height creates one of the strongest mechanically locked seams on the market today. The 2-inch seam height is a double-locked structural panel that can meet severe load requirements. The panels with 1-1/2-inch and 1-inch seam heights are non-structural, single-locked or double-locked, with standard plank ribs, and available as tapered and convex curved (with or without plank ribs). 

Factory panel pre-notching and optional factory-applied seam sealant is also available. In addition to being manufactured in copper, the 1-1/2-inch Field-Lok is also available in aluminum, metallic coated steel, 55% Al-Zn alloy coated steel with acrylic coating, zinc, and stainless steel. It is installed with an expansion clip and is mechanically seamed in the field.