As fans see each week through our Stadium Updates from Turner Construction, the new soccer-specific stadium in Kansas City, Kansas is going up at a remarkable pace. Kansas City Wizards staff members took their first formal stadium tour since March on Wednesday evening (See pictures here on KC Soccer Stadium Facebook page).
Wizards Vice President of Development David Ficklin led the tour, showcasing to the rest of the front office what he sees on a daily basis from his office window. He offices in the construction trailer in the outer edge of the Nebraska Furniture Mart parking lot across from the stadium site.
“Building this stadium is the biggest transformational moment in our club’s 15 year history. We feel very strongly that the entire staff should see the amazing progress in person as often as possible," Ficklin said. "Individual associates come out for meetings or tours on their own, but this was a way to bring everyone out together for some team building and educating about how all the years of thought and planning have come together to build the finest soccer stadium in the United States, if not all of North America. It’s crucial for every member of our organization to understand it for themselves, so they can better share our vision and excitement with everyone they meet."
The progress left a strong impression on the staff.
“Honestly, it’s totally surreal every time I see it,” long-time Wizards fan and Graphic Designer Chad Reynolds said. “I have been around the team and organization so long, that it’s hard to believe that the stadium is actually going up. It’s going to be incredible. I can’t wait until people around the League realize how incredible our venue is. I’ve been to almost all of the stadiums in MLS, and none of them are this well thought out. It’s going to be the best. I’m stoked."
Senior Account Executive Emily Hanover joined the Wizards in 2008 from the New York Red Bulls, who were building a stadium at the time. After seeing the excitement around the opening of Red Bull Arena this season, Hanover is ready for Kansas City's turn in 2011.
"Seeing the stadium was one word... amazing," she said. "I remember touring Red Bull Arena at the same point in construction a few years back when I worked for New York, and to see our stadium coming to life brings back all those feelings of what it will be like to play in our own building."
Fans can watch the progress every day through the stadium webcam. CLICK HERE to view the latest.
