WSU to Raze Cessna Stadium?

[Stickboy46]

No idea what forum this is appropriate for.

[ShockerFever]

Interesting timing to say the least.

[Shockm]

Does anyone have access to the article? If so, what did they say. The timing could just be a coincidence. They've been talking about doing something about the stadium for a long time. Are there plans for a new, smaller stadium? They are in the middle stages of the new locker rooms for track, etc. and the stadium has been a problem for a long time. If holding events at the stadium is now a danger to the public, they may not have a choice.

[ABC]

WSU is proposing a smaller multi-purpose stadium for the site that could attract local and regional soccer, lacrosse and track and field events.

The Regents are to consider the request at their Wednesday afternoon online meeting.

The university's request says demolition of the site would cost $1.4 million and would come from private funds and restricted fee funds.

The university said locker rooms housed underneath the west stands would move into the new student-athlete center being constructed adjacent to the arena and south of the stadium.

The future of the Kansas State High School Activities Association track and field championships, a revenue producer for the city that brings in more than 2,500 athletes and their families, is unclear. The meet has been held in late May at Cessna Stadium since the early 1980s.

[WstateU]

Does anyone have access to the article? If so, what did they say. The timing could just be a coincidence. They've been talking about doing something about the stadium for a long time. Are there plans for a new, smaller stadium? They are in the middle stages of the new locker rooms for track, etc. and the stadium has been a problem for a long time. If holding events at the stadium is now a danger to the public, they may not have a choice.

Here's the 'meat' of the article... I probably shouldn't post entire article without WBJ's permission.

"WSU is proposing a smaller multi-purpose stadium for the site that could attract local and regional soccer, lacrosse and track and field events.

The Regents are to consider the request at their Wednesday afternoon online meeting.

The university's request says demolition of the site would cost $1.4 million and would come from private funds and restricted fee funds.

The university said locker rooms housed underneath the west stands would move into the new student-athlete center being constructed adjacent to the arena and south of the stadium."

ABC for the win!

[Shock Top]

I'm all for a more track (and small sports), dedicated facility. Maybe not as great a facility as Hayward Field, but in the same inspiration.

I am certain they will try and keep the KSHAA Track Championships. Great event.

[Stickboy46]

Well .. it's already approved. It's coming down

[Veritas]

Bittersweet for sure. It looks terrible, but probably slams the door on football ever returning. If they kept the original Veterans Stadium and maybe construct a small bowl on the north side, that could make a nice T/F, soccer, etc stadium. Hate for Wichita to lose the Ks T/F championships. Would love to see all basketball classes championship games held at Intrust too.

[Stickboy46]

Bittersweet for sure. It looks terrible, but probably slams the door on football ever returning. If they kept the original Veterans Stadium and maybe construct a small bowl on the north side, that could make a nice T/F, soccer, etc stadium. Hate for Wichita to lose the Ks T/F championships. Would love to see all basketball classes championship games held at Intrust too.

We would have never hosted AAC football in Cessna Stadium anyways.

[WstateU]

Bittersweet for sure. It looks terrible, but probably slams the door on football ever returning. If they kept the original Veterans Stadium and maybe construct a small bowl on the north side, that could make a nice T/F, soccer, etc stadium. Hate for Wichita to lose the Ks T/F championships. Would love to see all basketball classes championship games held at Intrust too.

Definitely time to bring it down and remove the eye-sore...

[BOBB]

Shocker Mountain no more?

[Shock Top]

Any football revival would involve a brand new football stadium, so I don't see that as a deterrent to football's return.

[ShockBand]

I'm all for a more track (and small sports), dedicated facility. Maybe not as great a facility as Hayward Field, but in the same inspiration.

I am certain they will try and keep the KSHAA Track Championships. Great event.

If they can secure the funding for "extras", they could have some really snazzy terraces and pavilions down around the turns, in addition to all the main seating on the sides. If the west side stands don't go as far back as the current (as one would expect), there could be some really nice possibilities for a plaza area between the stadium and arena.

[revenge_of_shocka_khan]

We would have never hosted AAC football in Cessna Stadium anyways.

And there HAS to be a cost associated with upkeep. That cost is probably greater than the maintenance cost of whatever is built to take its place, and it's probably a better idea just to bite the bullet and get this done, rather than cut something that is actually useful to address funding shortages.

[WstateU]

Guess we can add to the "Remember When?" thread...

https://shockernet.net/forum/wichita...-remember-when


P.S. I know Cessna needs to be razed, but I feel for anyone that was alive and recalls October 2, 1970. We will never forget. If you haven't watched this, please do. WSU fans or even non-WSU fans (lurkers).

https://www.pbs.org/video/kpts-docum...u-plane-crash/