Kentucky Horse Park Outdoor Stadium

Lexington, Ky.
Construction Cost: $19.5 million
Occupancy Date: April 2009

The outdoor stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park includes a combination of covered and open fixed-chair seating for approximately 7,800 spectators, with the ability to accommodate more than 30,000 in temporary seating. A picturesque lake informed the design decision for the location of the stadium and seating. Adjacent to the stadium is a two-story, 4,500-square-foot pavilion for judges and media. The stadium is well integrated into the natural topography, holding the corner of two main roads and providing a major destination point within the park.

The stadium design concept reflects the traditional vernacular of Kentucky’s horse country, characterized by barn cupolas, stone arches and racing grandstands. The design maintains fidelity to the bluegrass landscape while also overlaying contemporary expressions. Three precast concrete archways define access to the concourse and frame the view of the riding arena. These gateways are crowned with cupolas that provide verticality and an iconic quality to the structure. In contrast to the precast arch elements, exposed structural columns and X-bracing are laced with metal mesh. The scale and transparency of this material choice add openness to the concourse area underneath.

To help meet budget constraints, the lower seating bowl takes advantage of a natural berm, minimizing excavation and earth movement and naturally allowing for split-level seating, while the main seating bowl is covered by a steel roof system that utilizes a pre-engineered steel-truss solution.