MEP Design for Sports Venues

VOL XXVII, Issue 1

Planning for Playability: MEP Design for Sports Venues

With the Winter Olympics recently wrapping up, March Madness heating up, and excitement building for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it’s safe to say the sports world hasn’t taken a day off. But athletics isn’t just about the headline events or packed stadiums— sports come in all shapes and sizes. From basketball courts and soccer fields to archery ranges, shooting complexes, climbing gyms, and everything in between, each space plays its own role in inspiring athletes, supporting communities, and shaping future talent.

And while we’re not the ones sinking OT 3s or going upper 90 in stoppage, we are helping create the environments where those everyday victories begin—places where people train, explore new skills, and find their competitive spark.

In this edition, we’re diving into the latest updates in sports facility design—especially on the electrical and lighting side—and highlighting some of our own MVP projects that support athletes of every age, every level, and every kind of sport.

Design Insights

Lighting the Game Right
The New Rules of Sports Visibility

Ever watched a player lose a ball straight into a blinding light? There’s a reason that happens—and a reason it shouldn’t anymore. Modern sports lighting has evolved fast, and today’s standards are all about sharper visibility, reduced glare, and lighting that works for both athletes and spectators. With the latest IES updates, designers now have clearer guidance, smarter tools, and better technology to keep the action visible, safe, and broadcast-ready.

Featured Solutions

Dakota State University Trojan Athletics Complex

DSU is transforming its athletic footprint with new stadium upgrades, a top‑tier esports environment, a modern track and soccer complex, and an expansive Athletic Events Center that supports training, academics, and game‑day experiences. Backed by full mechanical and electrical design from West Plains Engineering, the project creates a cohesive, future‑ready home for Trojan Athletics and the growing programs that support it.

Scheel's IcePlex Addition & Improvements

With youth hockey participation doubling, the Scheels IcePlex added two major wings packed with new locker rooms, training spaces, offices, and player amenities. Behind the scenes, upgraded HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and fire protection systems seamlessly tie the additions into the existing facility, creating a modern, future‑ready home for the city’s booming hockey community.

Rendering courtesy Signature Companies

Outdoor Campus East Archery Range Expansion

Backed by a multi‑phase, $7 million investment, the campus is adding new archery ranges, classrooms, and updated facilities to support growing demand for hunter education, shooting sports, and hands‑on outdoor programs. With Phase 1 complete and Phase 2 underway, the project is creating year‑round training spaces, improved wildlife‑viewing areas, and modern amenities that will serve families, students, and outdoor enthusiasts for years to come.

Photo courtesy
Stone Group Architects

Sioux Park Tennis Courts Improvements

The Sioux Park Tennis Courts have been completely revitalized—new surfaces, new seating, new shade, and a whole new experience for athletes and families. Behind the scenes, a full electrical and lighting overhaul powered the transformation, bringing competition‑level LED lighting, safer pedestrian pathways, and future‑ready infrastructure to one of Rapid City’s recreation hubs.

Black Hills Basecamp Climbing Gym

Black Hills Basecamp transformed three bays of a pre‑engineered metal building into a 7,000‑square‑foot bouldering facility packed with routes, training boards, youth programs, and tall open volumes. Behind the walls and holds, thoughtful MEP design solved challenges like chalk‑heavy air, limited overhead space, and complex wall geometry—making the new gym a safe, efficient, and high‑performance space for climbers of all levels.

SD GF&P Pete Lien Shooting Complex

The Pete Lien Shooting Complex transformed 400 acres north of Rapid City into one of the largest public shooting ranges in the country, complete with long‑range bays, law‑enforcement training areas, and a modern Hunter Education Building. At the heart of the project is a 20,000 SF indoor facility—supported by MEP systems designed specifically for a remote site and a mix of indoor and outdoor uses.

Bonus Feature: We're currently working with Wyss Associates, Inc. to add lighting to 4 additional fields at the Dakota Fields Soccer Complex in Rapid City. The project will allow the club's recreational program to train at night, as well as provide additional game space during tournaments.

In the News

Check out some of our projects featured on social media and the news!

Sioux Falls Regional Airport

Sioux Falls, SD

Elmwood Clubhouse

Sioux Falls, SD

Jacobson Plaza at The Falls

Sioux Falls, SD

WPEople

WPE Celebrates 2026 E-Week

Engineers Week celebrates how engineers make a difference in our world - and each year, WPE pulls out all the stops to celebrate how our team makes a difference for us.

In addition to the inevitable (and absolutely mandatory) daily treats, our crew enjoyed some fun new swag, competed in daily virtual games for prizes, and welcomed a new perk for each offices (think: ice cream machines, toaster ovens, and grills!)

To all our fellow engineers and engineering industry professionals - we hope you thoroughly enjoyed E-Week!

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