An Icon of the Katy Community - The New Legacy Stadium
Katy, Texas - VLK proudly announces the grand opening of Katy ISD's new Legacy Stadium and Mike Johnston field. The dedication ceremony was held on August 17th and the Katy community, school board, and administrators came out to celebrate this new, iconic 12,000 seat facility. A component of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Student Activities Complex, the new Legacy Stadium, is expected to set a new standard of K-12 athletics design.
The name, 'Legacy Stadium,' was approved by the school board in March to honor the rich history and legacy of Katy ISD and the field, named after former Katy High School football coach, Mike Johnston, honors the legacy Coach Johnston set for Katy High as he led the Tigers to three state championship wins during his coaching tenure. The facility was designed with the hope that more legacies are forged in this new, innovative athletic complex.
Designed by Dallas-based HKS Inc. with Fort Worth-based VLK Architects as associate architect, the goal of the project was to help create a design that upheld the unity of Katy ISD, was one of a kind, and would benefit the Katy community for generations to come.
'The design intent was to create a powerful, energetic home field advantage for all of the high schools in Katy ISD. Bringing the fans close to the action on the field will create an intimate game day experience for the athletes and fans,' said John Brooks, VLK Project Designer. 'While the design is beautiful, what I believe will contribute to the legacy of this stadium will be the operational ease of hosting large scale athletic events. The design focuses on the functional aspects of how a stadium operates: the parking, the concessions, and open concourses will keep fans engaged. The flexible locker rooms and athletic spaces will fill the needs of multiple teams preparing for games and the staging area will give the bands a place to prepare for halftime.'
Legacy Stadium will offer a venue for more than just football. Located north of the existing Rhodes Stadium, the two facilities will function in tandem as part of an overall master plan to accommodate a variety of events including sports and fine arts competitions for the district's 10 high schools. The new Legacy Stadium will also include a two-story press box, training rooms, and a 12,000 square feet field house with spaces for police officers, paramedics, and coaches. An elevated concourse will allow spectators to see the field while waiting in line for concessions and a limited-access loop drive will provide for easy drop-off and pickup.
'VLK is honored to be part of this milestone for Katy ISD and the surrounding community,' said Todd Lien, VLK Architects Partner. 'We truly value our relationship with Katy ISD and enjoy providing exceptional facilities for an exceptional district. Katy ISD desires to provide the best opportunities for their students and at the end of the day, that's VLK's goal too. I am confident that Legacy Stadium will become an icon for the Katy community and foster an environment of comradery and unity for many years to come.'