USL club Louisville City FC PR Dir Howie Lindsey said that the team's under-construction stadium is "'about 50 percent' done and still on course to be complete" by spring '20. In Louisville, Robert Rimpson notes crews used "nearly 3 million pounds of steel to build the initial structure, forming and solidifying the stadium's height and shape." The next step in the process will be "preparing and installing the playing surface in the arena." The natural Bermuda grass was "purchased last fall and is currently growing on a sod farm in Indiana." It will be installed "prior to winter this year so that it will be ready for spring" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 7/11).
TECH SAVVY: In Columbus, Jacob Myers noted the Crew will partner with IBM iX technology to "help personalize the fan experience for maximum impact on not just the season-ticket holders, but the casual fans that might attend one game a year at the new 20,000-seat, 430,000-square foot stadium set to open no earlier" than July '21. Not only will the Crew "use IBM iX technology to prepare for the opening of the venue, it will also be used to ensure the entire stadium is 'future flexible,' meaning the venue can adapt to growing needs of the fanbase to ensure the stadium is an asset for decades in advance" (DISPATCH.com, 7/10).
PARTY FOUL: In Boston, Kevin Slane reports a "massive two-day festival has been canceled less than two weeks before it was set to take over Gillette Stadium." The Super Mega Ultra Giant Mad Decent Block Party Festival was set for July 20-21 and was "supposed to feature top DJs and hip-hop acts along with a go-kart course, paintball, and the 'world's largest moon bounce.'" More than 40 acts were "scheduled to perform at the festival" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/11).
