Courtesy of Perkins & Will

Don Dethlefs
Principal, Sports Recreation and Entertainment

Ernest Joyner
Principal, Director of Operations
Joe Dyer
Associate Principal

Perkins&Will

The merger of Denver-based Sink Combs Dethlefs with Perkins&Will in 2017 brought the strengths of Dethlefs and Joyner in designing midsize arenas and renovating professional and college facilities to the 85-year-old firm. Work continues on seven arenas, even amid the pandemic, Dethlefs said, including the 6,000-seat Henderson Event Center, the future home of the AHL Henderson Silver Knights. Joyner, whose résumé includes work on Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena, said the design of sports projects is becoming more of a multi-disciplinary practice with the rise of sports and entertainment districts. “We are seeing more mixed-use projects and alternative delivery methods that require expertise in more than just sport,” he said. Dyer, who worked on renovations of Minneapolis’ Target Center and premium areas at San Jose’s SAP Center and Denver’s Ball Arena, noted that Perkins&Will takes a local approach to its work. “On a professional level, a definite achievement metric has been some of my longtime clients (Sharks/Timberwolves/Avalanche) reaching out to me to help them navigate obstacles and uncover opportunities during this pandemic,” Dyer added. — K.D.