Bordered by Gridiron Road, Varsity Drive and Cowboys Parkway in Frisco will be the new training facilities for America’s Team, according to a just-released preliminary site plan.

The plan for the Dallas Cowboys’ future home shows the location of the outdoor practice fields and indoor stadium on the property at Warren Parkway and the Dallas North Tollway. Also included are the team’s headquarters and an outdoor plaza area.

The plan also shows a possible layout for multiple office buildings and a luxury hotel along the tollway with a potential mix of multilevel parking garages, retail and restaurants. Those buildings are all still tentative.

“This starts the formal process of laying out where roadways as well as the Frisco multi-use events center and the Cowboys organization’s headquarters will be oriented on the 91-acre property,” Frisco officials said in a statement Monday.

The Frisco Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the preliminary site plan and a conveyance plat at its Tuesday meeting. The submissions are an initial step in any land development project and do not require extra review by the City Council, officials say. The two measures are part of the commission’s consent agenda, which consists of routine items approved with a single vote.

A grading plan for the site is still in the works. Until that is complete, it’s unclear whether some of the structures, such as parking, will be built below ground.

Also still to decide is whether the stadium will be mostly above ground or in a bowl design with the top at street level, such as Toyota Stadium.

The Cowboys project is a joint venture with the city of Frisco, Frisco ISD and the three companies affiliated with team owner Jerry Jones and his three children: Blue Star Frisco, Blue Star Stadium and Blue Star HQ.

Under the agreement reached in August, the city and school district will provide $115 million for the stadium, practice fields and team headquarters. The Blue Star companies will pay for any costs above that for the development of the 25 acres on which those facilities sit. They also will bear the cost for maintaining and operating the sports complex, which is estimated at $1.5 million a year.

The fields will be used not only for practice by the Cowboys but also for high school football games and other events, such as band competitions, pin ceremonies and soccer matches. The city will also be able to use the stadium for special events.

“This development boosts Frisco’s growing reputation as a sustainable, destination city all the while improving upon our residents’ quality of life,” Mayor Maher Maso said in a statement.

The remaining 66 acres will be available for purchase by Blue Star Frisco for future development.

An economic impact analysis projects more than 4,500 jobs will be added to Frisco,TX by 2026 once the 91-acre site is fully developed.

The architectural firm M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates Inc. has been chosen to design the stadium facility and practice fields as well as the headquarters. They are set to be completed in 2016.

The preliminary plan lists the three new roadways, Varsity Drive, Cowboys Parkway and Gridiron Road. Gaylord Parkway and Internet Boulevard, which now end at Warren Parkway, will be extended north into the property, according to the plan.

The tentative plan also lists an eight-story building, including parking, for the new Dallas Cowboys headquarters. The building’s uses are listed as office, retail, a dance area, a medical office and private club.

The stadium is listed as four stories tall. According to the master agreement for the project, it must seat at least 12,000 people. It will also include either a ring of suites or a club seating area.

“Each step brings this project closer to fruition, and we cannot wait until we are able to see our students taking advantage of this world-class facility,” Superintendent Jeremy Lyon said in a statement. “The opportunities created by this public-private partnership will be significant.”
By Valerie Wigglesworth
---Indo-Pak Massage Therapy is only 3 minutes from where the new Dallas Cowboy's Headquarters will be located. Come see us at www.indopakmassage.com

Perhaps like no other profession, massage therapy provides benefits to a wide range of people. Yes, there are contraindications that need to be monitored, but generally speaking, young and old, healthy and ailing—most everyone gains from regular massage therapy sessions.

True, too, however, is the idea that massage therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Even among your clients who don't have specific conditions, you don’t simply massage them the exact same way. Every client—every body—is different, and these differences are what dictate how a massage therapy session and treatment plan are developed.

The idea of individualizing a massage therapy session is particularly important when dealing with a specific demographic. When working with elderly clients, there are myriad factors—both physical and mental—that need to be considered. Following are some of the essentials.

The Aging Body Until the fountain of youth is discovered, people will continue to get older—and the natural process of aging will continue to change them, both physically and mentally. Skin wrinkles and sags, tearing more easily and healing more slowly. Respiratory changes happen, and people generally start to see decreases in muscle and bone mass, sometimes reducing their strength and flexibility, or increasing their risk for osteoarthritis.

The gastrointestinal system also starts to slow down, so older clients might be more prone to heartburn. A reduction in cerebral blood flow may lead to changes in sensitivity to pain, cold intolerance, and decreases in balance and coordination. The heart begins to enlarge, too, thickening and narrowing vascular walls, and sometimes causing an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in circulation.

If it sounds like the aging body is all about slowing down and change, that’s only part of the story—but an important part nonetheless. Being aware of some of these common differences in an aging body gives massage therapists a good place to start when working with these clients.

The Power of One As a massage therapist, you tailor each session to the needs of the client, and this practice becomes particularly important when working with special populations. You understand there are additional considerations when working with clients who have diabetes, for example, or cancer patients. (For more information on massaging clients with cancer, see Massaging Clients With Cancer in the Winter 2010 issue of Massage Therapy Journal). And the same holds true when working with the elderly.

According to Susan Salvo, a massage therapist with 27 years experience with massage and adult education, one of the major differences massage therapists are going to find with elderly clients involves general health and medication. “The body naturally ages, affecting a person’s health,” she says. “90 percent of the elderly are reported to have at least one chronic medical condition, and the majority has multiple conditions.” Further, she explains, many of these medical conditions are managed with medication. Add to these facts that more than half are dealing with some type of disability—whether sensory, physical or mental—and the need for individualized treatment plans is obvious. “Massage  therapists need to be able to ascertain,by observation and questioning, if the elderly client is robust and fit or frail,” says Salvo. “Then, modify the massage accordingly.”

Doing a thorough intake, critical with every client you work with, perhaps becomes even more so for aging clients. You need to inquire about any medication they are using, as well as if there are special needs or concerns that have to be accounted for during the massage session. Remember, too, that you might need to assist with the intake form, perhaps reading the questions to the client.

You’re also going to want to limit stretches and joint mobilizations, as well. “Use gentle stretching and joint movements, such as rocking,” Salvo suggests. “Avoid extreme mobilizations, which may harm a client with osteoporosis.” Because falling is the most common safety issue for people over 65, be sure the walkways—both outdoors and inside your practice—are clear. Replace any eyewear you removed during the session, and remind the client to sit up for a moment before standing. “You need to be ready to assist, too,” Salvo explains.

On a more personal level, Salvo notes, massage therapists need to respect the slower pace of these clients. “Allow extra time for clients to undress, as sometimes they’ll be wearing layers and layers of clothing,” she says. “Be sure to account for transition time, or time to hear a story.” Remember, Salvo explains, these clients are going through lifestyle and emotional changes, such as retirement, reduced income or the loss of loved ones. “Cultivate patience, tolerance, kindness and attentiveness,” Salvo encourages. “Don’t be afraid to touch someone, and use common sense and good judgment" like Anu at Indo-pak Massage Therapy, www.indopakmassage.com, beats membership fees and higher prices of other spas like massage envy or massage green.
By AMTA