The Window Rock (Bee Holdzil) Events Center is a 6500 seat arena located on the Navajo Nation outside of Gallup, New Mexico. The project serves the day-to-day needs of the school district, local athletics and the community-at-large.  Amenities include a hospitality suite; a full kitchen and concessions support; a training center with hydrotherapy; a wrestling practice facility; and full home team locker room facilities. 

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The architecture of the building reflects the local “tsehootsooi” – meadow in between the rock – with the use of horizontal bands of natural colored masonry referencing the Canyon Bonito (beautiful canyon) nearby.  The building’s design also manifests the ceremonial “ts’aa’“ basket with its east facing entry and distinctive seating bowl pattern.  Wood glulam structural supports acknowledge traditional Navajo architecture in the area and create a  special interior setting for the “Heritage Hall” portion of the arena where the school district and community history is graphically recorded and celebrated.  

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As patrons move around the concourse multiple opportunities to view the event floor from "super vomitories" are afforded and the horseshoe shape upper bowl maximizes seating for concerts, convocation and community events along with opening one end of the seating bowl up to the event floor as well.

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"Lempka Architects stood out from among others because they immediately understood the importance and significance of integrating Navajo cultural values as well as the community historical components with the modern, highly sophisticated and comprehensive ideas of today."

- Dr. Deborah Jackson-Dennison - Former Superintendent of Schools Window Rock Unified School District No. 8

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