Wichita State University received unanimous approval from the Kansas Board of Regents Wednesday for its proposal to tear down 74-year-old Cessna Stadium and build in its place a new, smaller multi-purpose stadium.
Modernizing the facility to match the campus’ surrounding facilities has become a priority for new WSU president Dr. Jay Golden, who envisions the new multi-purpose stadium also attracting high school and club events for soccer, lacrosse and track and field. The proposal estimates it will cost $1.4 million to raze the current Cessna Stadium.
WSU athletic director Darron Boatright emphasized that this was just the first hurdle to clear and that WSU has no immediate plans to begin destruction until it has secured the money, which will come from private funds and restricted fee funds.
After a lengthy discussion among members of the Fiscal Affairs and Audit committee earlier in the day, the Kansas Board of Regents had very little discussion before giving its blessing in Wednesday afternoon’s online meeting.
“This is just the first step in a long process we would have to go through should the funding source come available,” Boatright told The Eagle. “There’s no timetable for this project. This just lets us know what the thoughts of the regents are and if we have their support.
“We would still have to figure out how we would find a funding source for this and see where that stands on the university’s list of priorities.”
A new multi-purpose facility would look more in line with WSU’s other on-campus facilities. It would also keep WSU in line with Wichita’s growing commitment to top-notch facilities, like the new Riverfront Stadium and upgraded Stryker Sports Complex.
“I think everyone is in agreement that the way it is currently is no longer acceptable for our campus,” Boatright said. “There are safety concerns and just the sight lines it produces. It’s the first thing you see coming from the west or from the north coming to our campus and that needs to be a better indication of the modernization of our campus in that first view. It’s become an eyesore on the campus.”
Boatright said WSU is committed to continuing to be the host for the Kansas high school state track and field meet, which has been held at Cessna Stadium every spring for the last four decade and in a typical year plays host to 3,500 athletes and many more spectators for 12 simultaneous state championship meets in various classifications.
That means working the demolition schedule around scheduled events, but also building a big enough new stadium to continue to make it a desirable venue. Boatright told reporters that he envisions the seating capacity of the new multi-purpose facility being between 12,000 and 15,000.
“It’s important to know that if this were to happen, then it would happen in phases and it would be our intention not to displace the state track and field meet,” Boatright said. “It would be our intentions to continue to host the state meet and find a way to work around where we can host the state track meet uninterrupted.”
Bill Faflick, executive director for the Kansas High School Activities Association, said his organization will take a wait-and-see approach.
“It’s way too early for us to know, but we hope to be able to continue in that capacity,” Faflick said. “Wichita has been a great host, Cessna has been a great venue and Wichita State has been a great partner in hosting the event.”
For many in the track and field world, not just in Wichita but all over Kansas, Cessna Stadium has become a cherished place over the years. It is synonymous with the Kansas high school state track meet, where championships are won and memories are made.
“I’ve been there as an athlete, as a coach, as an athletic director, as a meet manager and then as a parent watching my kid run there,” Faflick said. “It started for me all the way back in 1978 and I know a lot more people share even more longevity than I do with that meet. It’s been one of those staples for us, signifying the end to a great school year and the start of summer.
