CPKC Stadium by the numbers
- 1st stadium in the world purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team
- 1st stadium in Missouri to become LEED Gold Certified
- 11,500 capacity
- $140 million cost
- 24% energy cost savings
- 14% of stadium energy generated by on-site solar panels
Being the first of its kind, there was no ground laid for what could be expected for a facility of this stature. Right sizing the stadium to accurately accommodate the team, club, fans, and community was an ongoing process and was not taken lightly, knowing that this would set the standard for the future of women’s sports facilities, it was important to do it right. The Kansas City Current owners, Chris and Angie Long, were strong advocates for a stadium that embodied the momentum of the team and brand. KC Current Owner Angie Long said, “Anyone who steps foot on that pitch is going to feel what it’s like to play in not just the first stadium for women, but the best stadium in the country.”
Location, location, location
Selecting the stadium location was a pivotal decision not just for determining where the KC Current would call home, but also in transforming urban planning and community development in the city. The stadium’s development is a hallmark of the riverfront development in Kansas City. Nestled on 7.1 acres along the Missouri River, it serves as the focal point of Berkley Riverfront Park.
Being located immediately adjacent to the Missouri River posed challenges for construction and required extensive collaboration and coordination between the project team and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. When establishing the elevation of the soccer pitch, the design team had to plan for how potential ground water and varying river elevations could impact the operations of the pitch’s unique subsurface air and field drainage systems.
In coordinating the pitch design and fluctuating river conditions, an existing 54-inch diameter concrete storm sewer line was also discovered that needed to remain active and in place. With the line extending from one corner of the project site to the other, the project teams had to be meticulous in strategizing how to install the Auger Cast Pile (ACP) foundations supporting the stadium’s grandstand bowl structure. Foundations had to be carefully and precisely placed around the sewer line — and in many cases bridged the pipe. Lastly, leaving the sewer line in place in its current age and condition required the project team to re-line the pipe to ensure its safety and performance for years to come.
The challenges above, along with others, necessitated unmatched communication and collaboration with various authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, who all have unique review and approval requirements.
All systems go
JE Dunn leveraged a blend of skill sets to map out and incorporate advanced technology and aeration systems to maintain a quality soccer pitch year-round. Together, each of the components detailed below set the foundation for an ideal playing surface no matter the weather.
- SubAir Aeration System: An integral element in the process, the SubAir aeration system ensures the pitch’s resilience against varying weather conditions, optimizing nutrient distribution for a robust playing surface.
- Artificial Grow Light System: Artificial grow light systems are crucial to maintaining the health of grass fields in stadiums. Unlike traditional systems, LED grow lights are used to emit minimal heat, ensuring optimal conditions for grass growth without compromising on temperature control.
- Drainage Foundation: The field’s foundation incorporated pea gravel, filter fabric, and irrigation piping to facilitate efficient drainage — a critical factor in maintaining pitch quality.
- Heating Coils and Organic Materials: In August 2023 the project team added heating coils and organic materials to the field’s foundation to enhance growing conditions and to ensure healthy grass could grow in time for the KC Current season opener in March 2024.
- Sod Installation: The pitch took shape within a few days as sod was laid, culminating the installation process. Installing the pitch demanded a unique blend of technological innovation, collaborative expertise, and extensive planning. The KC Current’s world-class pitch stands as a testament to the commitment of all stakeholders involved, creating an optimal playing surface for players and coaches alike season after season.
Safety in the spotlight
As with all active JE Dunn project sites, safety was a top priority at every stage of CPKC Stadium’s construction. With the enthusiasm surrounding this stadium’s profound influence on women’s sports across the nation, there was a notable number of visitors throughout construction. Recognizing the site’s lively nature, emphasizing safety for all individuals on-site was paramount. To eliminate accidents around the site and account for frequent visitors, JE Dunn developed a project-specific safety plan to ensure everyone, including trade partners, were not only adhering to the plan, but were active participants in preventive measures, hazard identification, and adaptations to the plan. Our safety plan was devised thoroughly and enforced comprehensively for all site visitors.
CPKC Stadium’s unique safety plan included a full-time, on-site safety manager who led orientations for all employees before they began their work. Employees also attended Weekly Project Updates that included discussions of upcoming safety considerations based on the scheduled work priorities and site activities. Items highlighted in these updates included proper planning and communication regarding scaffold erection and usage, fall hazard prevention, overlapping trades, and more. Project team leadership led Quarterly “Safety Stand Downs” to highlight relevant activities for that month and discuss areas of concern or possible improvement.
On-going safety training was conducted with trade partners to ensure recently added standards according to OSHA were implemented into company-specific safety manuals. JE Dunn also worked with our trade partners daily to ensure best practices were being implemented while reflecting on lessons learned to prevent future incidents. During Women in Construction Week, Taylor Beeman, a field engineer at JE Dunn, led a Safety Stand Down at the jobsite, which was highlighted by multiple media outlets and attended by local elected officials and other VIP guests.
As a result of the project’s safety practices, the stadium was completed with minimal incidents.
Milestone sustainability achievements
Since its completion, CPKC Stadium has become the first stadium in Missouri to achieve LEED Gold certification, marking a groundbreaking milestone in sustainability and design. Recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council, the stadium is also the world’s first LEED certified venue built exclusively for a women’s professional sports team.
The facility was equipped with 180 REC Pure-R solar panels, along with additional solar panels atop the main gate entrance and team store. Low emission and locally sourced materials were chosen, when possible, to mitigate emissions from transportation of materials. Native, low-maintenance plants surrounding the stadium decrease the water consumption of maintenance and eliminate the need for chemicals.
The deliberate location and design of CPKC Stadium also aims to promote diverse transportation modes and reduce fuel consumption and parking demand. CPKC Stadium can be accessed multiple ways; visitors can get there by walking, running, biking, riding the public KC Streetcar, as well as driving their own personal vehicles.
Inside the stadium, the environmentally conscious approach continues with sustainable choices made by vendors. Reusable cups, which are collected, sanitized, and repacked for future use, are provided for all fountain drinks. There are no single-use plastic bottles or cups available; all beverages are served in aluminum cans or reusable cups.
Committed to sustainability throughout, CPKC Stadium exemplifies what a truly sustainable stadium can look like, and boasts several energy savings per year including:
- 24% energy cost savings annually.
- On-site solar panels generate 14% of the stadium’s energy.
- Zero-waste operations reflect the team’s commitment to sustainability and advancing environmental health for the community that supports them.
Built to celebrate every season
In addition to its sustainable materials and operations, CPKC Stadium was built to serve the Kansas City community year-round. While JE Dunn completed the stadium in time for the KC Current’s home opener on March 16, 2024, it also holds diverse events throughout the year. The stadium, in addition to hosting KC Current games, hosted the Kansas City Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Festival, the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, and the 2024 Big 12 Soccer Championship. CPKC Stadium welcomed back KC Current fans for the 2025 season on March 15.
