LIVESTRONG Sporting Park to Become Lego-fied: Fan Take

What do Big Ben, the Taj Mahal and LIVESTRONG Sporting Park have in common ? Nothing yet. That is, until April 5 when the brand new Legoland Discovery Center in Kansas City unveils a Lego scale model of the popular landmark in suburban Kansas City.

The model of the glittering stadium will be eight feet wide, seven feet deep and four feet tall. An event starting at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Crown Center will unveil the impressive new model. Contests will be held and season tickets for Sporting KC and Legoland will be given away as prizes.

The partnership is just one more reason how Sporting is making community connections beyond the ordinary. Fans will notice it wasn't Arrowhead Stadium and the Kansas City Chiefs who are helping to open a kid-friendly attraction. Nor are the Kansas City Royals on hand with a model Kauffman Stadium.

Sporting KC is taking the city by storm and it's not just because they lead Major League Soccer with nine points in three games. The players bond with members of the community and get fans at a young age. When connections to area teams are personal, the financial aspects of fandom come later when more tickets and more merchandise are sold.

Even television viewers can be increased thanks to community partnerships and outreach. In an economy that is getting better, the Legoland Discovery Center and Sporting Kansas City partnership is a perfect fit for families looking to plan summer outings. What could be better than playing with Legos, viewing sea life at the new aquarium and attending a soccer match? That kind of day would be heavenly for many area children.

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park won't be the first sports stadium to be honored with a huge Lego construct. An Ohio State fan recreated his favorite football stadium with over 1 million pieces over two years. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis was also built Lego-style on a table.

Those two models won't be nearly as big as the LSP model at the Crown Center. Hopefully the mock up of the stadium will remain for decades to come after it is built. The model is a true symbol of Kansas City's embrace of the local soccer stadium.

William Browning played soccer for ten years growing up in the St. Louis area. He has been a fan of Sporting Kansas City ever since Major League Soccer starting playing in 1996.

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