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A report on the state of our sports region from the Kansas City Sports Commission
As we move forward, it is imperative that we recognize that with a responsible approach to sports and economic development, this is our time to collectively reach a consensus - One Kansas City - and allow Johnson County, Kansas City, Missouri and Jackson County cooperatively benefit by sharing the responsibility in an equitable fashion that ultimately creates what is in the best interests of all our citizens. Key Facilities Developments Truman Sports Complex Our work in support of the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex spans three decades. On April 4, 2006, Jackson County voters supported Question 1 to transform Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums. Community support for our efforts during this ambitious campaign ensured that the Chiefs and Royals will remain in Kansas City for years to come.
After all, our community is the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals and everyone in our community benefits by having those sports franchises here. Across state and county lines, we are truly “One KC” as we support and benefit from professional sports here. We will continue to work alongside Jackson County to help retain the Chiefs and Royals for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. Learn more about this initiative. Sprint Center We urged the city of Kansas City, Missouri to advance the development of a new downtown arena and inspired a successful campaign to build the Sprint Center, which promises to be a first-class sports venue and a marquee attraction in the heart of a downtown Kansas City renaissance.
We also urged the city to consider re-use of Kemper Arena in conjunction with the American Royal. We accepted the criticism for pushing the city toward improvements to Kemper Arena in order to lock in the enormously successful Big 12 basketball tournament for five years in Kansas City.
With the Sprint Center, we are working to create something very special that takes full advantage of the National College Basketball Hall of Fame, Big 12, NCAA and other significant national event opportunities. We are excited about working with AEG and Sprint and everyone should be excited about what the future entails for the Sprint Center. Learn more about this initiative.
NASCAR Hall of Fame The bid we submitted in 2005 for the NASCAR Hall of Fame did not result in the award, but was a tremendous effort on the part of many civic and corporate leaders. The Kansas City Bid Team which was led by our good friends at the KCADC, deserves our praise and acknowledgement for their efforts on the NASCAR Hall of Fame project. These regional partners included: Kansas Speedway; State of Kansas; Unified Government; Zimmer Real Estate; VML; HOK; JE Dunn and many others. Our bid was strong and the countless hours that so many put into this project was much appreciated. Our community's work nearly a decade ago to develop a first-class venue at the Kansas Speedway has produced not only five years of successful racing, but phenomenal economic growth and impact, including additional destination retailers and prestige status for the Kansas City region.
Proposed Soccer Complex The Sports Commission is leading the effort to develop a multi-use soccer complex in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The proposed complex would be home to the Kansas City Wizards Major League Soccer (MLS) team and have as many as 40 tournament and youth fields for soccer and emerging sports (i.e.; field hockey, rugby and lacrosse). The stadium would meet the growing demand for soccer fields in the area and feature an entertainment and destination complex. Our goal is to work to create the finest complex in the country, which would also be home to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Learn more about this initiative.
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In many respects, our metropolitan area is at a crossroads in the development of sports facilities and initiatives. The Kansas City Sports Commission is leading the effort to focus and execute on a well thought out community effort to plan the future of sports opportunities in our region, and we recognize that it takes both Kansans and Missourians to accomplish improvements for future generations.