Proposed Inflatable Sports Dome Divides Lee's Summit Community

Developers tout year-round programming, but neighbors worry about size and location of the structure.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 8:03am

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A planned 180,000 square-foot sports complex in Lee's Summit, Missouri has sparked debate over a proposed inflatable dome addition. While developers see the dome as a way to allow year-round use of an outdoor soccer field, some nearby residents are concerned about the dome's large size and close proximity to homes.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the challenges cities face in balancing the needs of sports and recreation facilities with the concerns of nearby residents. As communities look to provide more amenities, projects that encroach on residential areas can create tensions around aesthetics, noise, and property values.

The details

The View High Sports Complex is set to include an indoor soccer field, volleyball and basketball courts, training facilities, and other amenities. Developers originally planned for an outdoor soccer field, but now want to add a 53-foot-tall inflatable dome to cover it for 16 weeks each winter. Neighbor Janey Allen supports the overall complex but believes the dome is too large and too close to homes, saying "This dome will be visible through our entire neighborhood. It is going to be looming in people's backyards." The developers argue the dome is a better solution than an outdoor-only field, allowing youth teams to play year-round. They say the dome's inflation fans will be no louder than a standard HVAC system.

  • The View High Sports Complex project was first reported on in July.
  • The public hearing on the proposed dome is scheduled for March 24, 2026.

The players

Janey Allen

A neighbor who expressed concerns about the proposed inflatable dome, saying it would be too large and too close to nearby homes.

Justin Beebe

The managing partner with 3D Builders KC, the developers behind the View High Sports Complex.

View High Sports + Entertainment

The developers of the View High Sports Complex, who say the project is "about doing what is best for families in Lee's Summit" and that they have "listened carefully, made meaningful changes, and remain committed to being a responsible partner in this community."

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What they’re saying

“This dome will be visible through our entire neighborhood. It is going to be looming in people's backyards.”

— Janey Allen, Neighbor

“The vision for this property really is for Missouri residents to have a state-of-the-art facility in Missouri, so they don't have to drive to Kansas every weekend for games.”

— Justin Beebe, Managing Partner, 3D Builders KC

“This project is about doing what is best for families in Lee's Summit. We've listened carefully, made meaningful changes, and remain committed to being a responsible partner in this community. We welcome continued dialogue and believe that with accurate information, we can move forward in a positive and unified way.”

— View High Sports + Entertainment

What’s next

The Lee's Summit City Council will hold a public hearing on March 24, 2026 to decide whether to approve a 5-year special use permit for the inflatable dome.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the challenges cities face in balancing the needs of sports and recreation facilities with the concerns of nearby residents. As communities look to provide more amenities, projects that encroach on residential areas can create tensions around aesthetics, noise, and property values.