The highly anticipated Talanta Stadium will not have a retractable cover, despite initial expectations, and there is a valid reason why.
As workers race against time to complete what will be the largest sporting infrastructure project in the East Africa region, architect Victor King'o provided rare insight into what the final look would be like, and it does not feature the hyped retractable cover.
According to King'o, the final design of the stadium was focused mainly on practicality and spectator comfort. With this in mind, having a retractable cover was not practical since the main purpose of such a provision was to protect the players and spectators from adverse weather.
Contrary to fans' expectations, the stadium's roof will not feature a retractable cover. The only part that will be covered by the canopy is where spectators will be seated, like the Kasarani stadium," he explained.
According to the engineer, Kenya, unlike Europe, enjoyed a relatively favourable climate, hence there was no need for temperature control, which is one of the core purposes of a retractable cover.
“The most important thing is to shelter the spectators. The pitch itself will remain open to the sky”, he stated.
Across the globe, several football stadiums have retractable covers, which shield spectators and players from extreme conditions such as extreme sunlight, snow and at times rain. One such facility is the famous Wembley Stadium in the UK.
These covers also help maintain the integrity of the ground's surface, especially in areas where the direct sunlight of heavy rain tends to affect the playing grass.
As far as the Talanta Stadium is concerned, architects decided to go for a hybrid system, where the pitch combines natural Bermuda grass with synthetic reinforcement, suitable primarily for football and rugby, but adaptable for other events.
Besides the main 60,000-seater stadium, the complex will also have three other training facilities, which will include a smaller 2000-capacity mini-stadium.
Because the main stadium will not have a track, an eight-lane running track will be incorporated into the mini-stadium, providing a chance for other disciplines to enjoy the facilities of the multi-billion shilling project.
Notably, Talanta Stadium's design incorporates technological and artistic elements, including a roof canopy built with hydraulically tensioned steel cables - the first of its kind in the region.
In terms of accessibility, improvements are underway, including expansion works along Ngong Road. There are also plans to have a dedicated commuter train to ease access to and from the stadium during match days.
Further, there will be at least 15 elevators throughout the stadium for easy access for spectators.
Media facilities will also have dedicated access points, including a media tribune and conference rooms to support live commentary during matches.
Other features of the stadium include seven changing rooms, VIP lounges, modern locker rooms, advanced media centres, VAR booths, and goal-line technology, making it fully prepared for high-profile matches and seamless live broadcasts.
