Chiefs Unveil The New Arrowhead
Aug 15, 2007, 11:20:00 AM
Hunt family contributes additional $50 million
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Game days at Arrowhead Stadium will soon provide an even greater experience for fans visiting this legendary sporting venue. Today, the Kansas City Chiefs gave the public its first look at the stunning improvements to The New Arrowhead Stadium during an unveiling ceremony.
Chiefs Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt and President, General Manager and Chief Executive Officcer Carl Peterson, as well as Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders, Jackson County Legislative Chairman Dan Tarwater and representatives of the architectural firm HOK Sport, were on hand at the Arrowhead Club to announce the unveiling of the design for The New Arrowhead Stadium, which Jackson County voters approved in 2006.
“We’re excited to unveil for the citizens of Jackson County, metro area residents and every Chiefs fan ‘The New Arrowhead Stadium,’” Sanders said. “The taxpayers kept their part of the bargain, and you’ll see today that the Kansas City Chiefs have delivered on their promise to modernize Arrowhead Stadium and, along with the Hunt family, remain committed to Kansas City.
“Sanders announced an additional $50 million contribution from the Hunt family.”
I think it is now apparent to everyone that the Hunt Family’s commitment to Jackson County and the entire community is being taken to a new level,” Sanders said.
The contribution raises the family’s total investment in the project to $125 million.
“While the modernization, as required by our agreement with Jackson County, could have been achieved within the original $325 million budget, we felt that to ‘get it right,’ it was important to go beyond what was required to ensure that Arrowhead remains one of the greatest stadiums in the NFL for decades to come,” Hunt said.
“The New Arrowhead” will give fans a greater variety of experiences beyond the on-field action. Stadium improvements include concourses that will be nearly doubled in size, allowing fans to get to their seats – and back to the action on the field – in less time; more restrooms; a greater variety of food and beverages to enjoy; a broad range of bars, concessions and seating areas within the concourses; and club lounge spaces to enjoy with family and friends.
Other additions will feature an upgraded sound system, new video board displays - including a 360 degree ribbon board around the lower fascia of the stadium - a new press box, and a new group seating area - the Horizon Level.
The improvements also call for a Chiefs’ Hall of Fame – The Hall of Honor - and an expanded team store.
“The Hall of Honor will be a lasting monument to all the great Chiefs players, coaches and administrators who have helped build this storied franchise over the years, but especially to the late Lamar Hunt,” Peterson said. “The Hall will be, in football folklore, sacred ground for Chiefs fans who have supported this team throughout its history.”
“Our ultimate goal is to enhance the Arrowhead experience for Chiefs fans,” Peterson said. “These improvements will add even more excitement and emotion to the legendary atmosphere that places Arrowhead in the highest echelon of NFL stadiums, while remaining, in our opponents’ eyes, one of the loudest and most feared places to play in the league.”
The Horizon Level is designed to give fans in the upper level a coach’s view of the game. The south side will rise above the original Arrowhead bowl and will feature new concessions and bathroom facilities for patrons at the rear of upper deck seating; cabaret, suite and premium seating; additional provisions for disabled patrons; and an expanded press box area for coaches and media. The north side is the sunny side, providing warmth to fans on cool days.
The suites will increase in size and be reconstructed to create an upscale environment with all the features expected in today’s professional sport venue. They will give patrons an unobstructed view of the field, as well as unparalleled luxury and service. In addition, the suite walls will be shift ed to eliminate structural columns from obstructing the view to the field from the suite interior.
“Arrowhead Stadium, with its swooping sculptural forms, is a revered icon,” said Dennis Wellner, HOK Sport’s lead architect for the stadium renovations. “The challenge has been to sensitively integrate all of the attributes and current trends that we would normally include in a new NFL stadium into “The New Arrowhead,” which respects tradition and continues its use of contemporary materials to create a bold, new form.”
