The Stormont Vail Event Center hosts arena concerts, motorsports and sporting events to trade shows, banquets, animal shows and regional equestrian events. The project represents the largest renovation and expansion project to the Kansas Expocentre Shawnee County has undertook since it was originally built. Developed out of a feasibility market study and a complete facility masterplan led by HTK Architects the renovations and expansion of the Stormont Vail Event Center represent the largest facility contract Shawnee County has ever executed at $35M in construction costs.
Working throughout the facility that will remain in continuous operation throughout construction, the scope of work includes seating and event amenity enhancements, concourse expansion for additional food and beverage options, renovation of all existing concession stands and a production kitchen. ADA seating upgrades throughout the arena. A grand lobby main entrance moves the main stairs to the interior of the building with the addition of an escalator and connects the Exhibition Hall and Landon Arena main entrances. A 35,000 SF expansion of exhibition hall will allow additional event programming to take place in the facility. Renovations of the equine facility address facility deficiencies and safety improvements as well as enhancing the user experience. A new exterior skin will correct failures of the existing skin while providing a new and enhanced street appearance. Extensive site upgrades, parking lot repair and landscaping will complete the project.
The project delivery method selected by the County is construction manager at risk. Collaboration between the design team and construction manager with BIM models allowed the design team to make informed decisions based on the cost estimating by the construction manager to ultimately deliver a project that met the budget and allowed construction scheduling and owner coordination to begin immediately.