LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
Kansas City, Kan.

Erection of canopy trusses is underway at the new 18,000-seat facility. The canopy trusses are shop assembled and shipped as a single piece up to 135 feet long with a 90-ft. cantilever and a 30-ft. to 40-ft. back span. The canopy system includes a clear polycarbonate covering the seating bowl, which will allow sunlight to reach the grass and isolate fan noise within the stadium. The stadium will feature 36 suites on two levels and a two-story owner’s suite. The new development will include up to four adjacent retail buildings. Challenges include a site footprint bound on three sides, a 45-ft. grade differential and four strata of soil. The foundation system is spread footings bearing on sandstone and shale, and drilled piers penetrating soft layers to hard limestone. Soil nailed walls will prevent lateral pressure being induced on the stadium structure due to the 45-ft. slope. This allows for use of conventional wind and seismic lateral framing systems as opposed to heavy shear or counterfort walls. The stadium is scheduled to open in summer 2011. Populous is the architect.