on view
Lighting the Legacy: Transformative Design at KU’s Renovated Memorial Stadium
The University of Kansas has made exciting updates to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, making a transformative moment for Kansas Athletics and the Jayhawk community. With an initial investment of $450 million, Phase 1 of the KU Gateway District project includes a completely reimagined football stadium, upgrades to the Anderson Family Football Complex, and the addition of the Kansas Conference Center. Phase 2, to be completed by summer 2027, will include a premium hotel, student housing, retail, dining, and an outdoor plaza.
The stadium’s design pays homage to Kansas heritage, with blue turf end zones, steel wheat stalks that tower high above Kivisto Field, seating patterns that spell out “Rock Chalk” on the west side, and form a red “K” on the north end. Inside the stadium, the concession stand area is lit by Lumiere Cambria 213 fixtures from Cooper Lighting Solutions, which hang prominently above the counters and digital menu boards, enhancing both visibility and style. In the Slawson Limestone Club, the ambiance is elevated by the L30 Slim Series cove fixtures by Ecosense, which outline the ceiling’s geometric patterns with a soft, modern glow. The space features high ceilings, seating, and a Jayhawk mural, creating a welcoming environment for fans and guests. All managed by a Paradigm lighting control system manufactured by ETC.
Mercer Zimmerman collaborated with 21 manufacturers, including Brownlee, Cooper Lighting Solutions, Ecosense, ETC, Green Creative, HE Williams, Isolite, Kelvix, Ligman Lighting, Livers Bronze, Lumenpulse, Lumenwerx, Meteor, PureEdge Lighting, QTL, Selux, SONNEMAN, Spectrum Lighting, Structura, United Lighting Standards, and USAI Lighting. The extensive coordination throughout the project ensured the delivery of high-quality lighting solutions.
The Players:
Architect: Multistudio
Engineer: Henderson Engineers
Electrical Contractor: P1 Construction & DL Smith Electric
General Contractor: Turner Construction
insight to light
Elevate Your Game with Ephesus Sports Lighting
An Interview with Dylan Mooney, Regional Sales Manager, Ephesus Sports Lighting
As sports venues increasingly seek energy-efficient, high-performance lighting solutions, Ephesus has emerged as a trusted leader in the industry. The following content addresses common inquiries about Ephesus products and services, highlighting their capabilities in retrofitting existing infrastructure, unique market advantages, ease of system management, and comprehensive offerings beyond LED fixtures. Whether you’re planning a new installation or upgrading an existing athletic facility, this information will help you understand how Ephesus can support your sports lighting goals.
Can Ephesus sports lighting products be used to retrofit existing infrastructure?
Ephesus is a leader in retrofit solutions. Whether your facility currently uses an integral ballast metal halide system or a remote-mounted power system, Ephesus offers one of the most versatile and comprehensive retrofit product lines available. Our systems are engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, allowing you to reuse poles, crossarms, and other structural components safely and effectively.
This not only simplifies the upgrade process but also dramatically reduces installation costs, making it easier to transition to high-performance LED lighting without the need for a full teardown. Our retrofit options are ideal for facilities looking to modernize while staying within budget.
What makes Ephesus unique in the sports lighting market?
Ephesus sets itself apart through innovation, flexibility, and customer-centric design. We understand that every sports venue, whether it’s a community field, collegiate arena, or professional stadium, has its unique challenges and requirements. That’s why we’ve developed a modular, scalable lighting system that can be customized to meet the specific needs of any project.
Our fixtures are easy to install, highly reliable, and engineered for optimal performance, delivering brilliant, uniform light exactly where it’s needed. With a broad product portfolio and adaptable configurations, Ephesus can support every level of play, from youth leagues to major league venues, while accommodating a wide range of budgets.
How do you make Ephesus systems easy to manage?
With our Airmesh Cloud wireless control system, you can manage your lighting from anywhere in the world using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The system features an intuitive interface that allows you to:
- Create and schedule lighting scenes
- Adjust brightness and coverage
- Monitor system performance
- Receive alerts and updates
Whether you’re on-site or remote, you’ll have control at your fingertips. And with our responsive support team always available, you’ll never be left in the dark. The Airmesh cloud system empowers you to maximize efficiency, enhance user experience, and reduce operational costs.
What else does Ephesus provide in addition to LED Sports Lighting Fixtures?
In addition to our cutting-edge LED fixtures, we offer:
- Poles and crossarms: Designed to complement our lighting systems
- Industry-leading control systems: For dynamic lighting management
- Turnkey installation services: To streamline your project from start to finish
Our goal is to make your lighting upgrade as smooth and efficient as possible. By offering a complete package, we eliminate the need to coordinate with multiple vendors, saving you time and reducing complexity.
fact-ology
The Q: How do you eliminate flicker and provide consistent, camera-friendly lighting for sports broadcasts?
The A: Flicker-free LED lighting
Using high-frequency drivers and constant current regulation, flicker-free LED lighting is specially engineered to deliver a steady, consistent light output. This design eliminates both visible and invisible flicker, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and discomfort. It’s especially important in environments where video is being captured—like broadcasting sports events—because it prevents rolling bands and flickering artifacts on camera. This ensures high-quality, stable footage for live broadcasts, slow-motion replays, and high-speed imaging, making it a must-have for professional sports production and other media applications.
lighten up
Chiefs Jersey Giveaway
We’re kicking off the season with a chance to win a Kansas City Chiefs jersey!
Here’s what you need to do to enter:
– Follow Mercer Zimmerman on LinkedIn or Instagram (or both)
– Comment on our giveaway post with topics you’d like to see in our newsletter or on social media
Whether it’s industry insights, product highlights, or behind-the-scenes stories, we want to hear from you, and you might just score some game-day gear while you’re at it! The winner will be announced on September 11th at 2:00 pm.
