Western Kentucky University - Smith Stadium - Addition & Renovation

Western Kentucky University (WKU) wanted to rise from regional importance to national prominence by remodeling its stadium to Division 1-A quality. This included adding 25,000 seats now and 15,000 later, building a west grandstand that supports an 800-seat club with food and bar service above, and constructing and building a 77,424 SF team facility. WKU selected Heery to develop an integrated renovation and expansion of the existing Smith Stadium,. 

Heery designed a unique blueprint – the stadium seating was redesigned into a horseshoe configuration that opens up to the heart of the campus, with a grass and concrete pedestrian plaza that becomes the natural vehicle for funneling fans into the stadium. The design also included the relocation of the track to help the university bring fans closer to the action.  Approximately 146,500 SF of new construction was designed on four floors of new facility space.

On the first and second floors, a hall of fame lobby was designed to recreate special moments in WKU’s history. The third floor includes a new concourse area with concessions and restrooms as well as a souvenir shop.  The fourth floor comprises a club facility with 782 exterior seats. The club will function both as a game day facility and a facility that can be used by other university interests as a meeting/gathering event space with a full kitchen. The west grandstand now has 3,682 seats, including fixed covered seating.

The east grandstand renovation includes 122,000 SF of renovated and expanded construction on three levels.  

The entire stadium complex is now life safety and ADA compliant.  The new grandstands and renovated grandstands are connected by a structured grass berm in the end zone that will accommodate and additional 1200 fans.  Other improvements include new waterproofing of the seating and concourse areas, the addition of camera platforms and lighting upgrades to meet standards for televising Division 1 football.