With the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship approaching, Wichita State University and the Kansas State High School Activities Association are providing the following update regarding the status of University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium).
In September of 2022, the Wichita State University Board of Trustees approved funding for phases 1A and 1B for the capital improvement plan to remake Cessna Stadium into University Stadium, a state-of-the-art home for Wichita State athletics, university and community events and the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship.
The east side of the stadium was taken down during the summer 2023 and in mid-December 2023, Wichita State accepted bids for Phase 1A and 1B and received one bid for the project.
“WSU appreciates the lone bid we received but has chosen to reject it and re-advertise for a construction manager to facilitate a more competitively bid project,” said Kevin Saal, Wichita State Director of Athletics. “WSU officials are in regular communication with KSHSAA – which remains committed to hosting the 2024 State Track in Wichita – in development of an operational plan to ensure a first-class 2024 State High School Track meet in Wichita.”
- Demolition of the east stands of University Stadium was completed in June 2023.
- Timing of all demolition and renovations will be scheduled to avoid interruption of the KSHSAA Track and Field Championship in future years.
- To facilitate a more competitively bid project, WSU will re-advertise for a construction manager at risk and work to obtain more competitive bids within the project packages, prior to a summer 2024 project start, inclusive of the scope contained in Phases 1A and 1B.
- The KSHSAA Track and Field Championship is scheduled for May 24-25, 2024 in Wichita at University Stadium. KSHSAA staff are in the process of evaluating the existing site with plans to release the 2024 schedule in the next few weeks.
- WSU will work with KSHSAA to set up a first-class team camp area, temporary bleachers, and restrooms on the east side, to host a first-class 2024 State High School Track Meet, negotiating a financial benefit to KSHSAA, given recent events and pending adjustments to the timeline.
- WSU will ensure there are safe paths for ingress and egress and an easy entrance to the track on the east side for the 2024 meet. Depending on the desires of KSHSAA, the bleacher seating can accommodate several thousand and there will also be an area for team camps and food options for fans and students on the east side.
- Phase 1A and 1B will begin after the 2024 Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship and includes improvements on the east side of the existing track (underground utility work, seating area for approximately 3,600 with a combination of bleacher seats and terraces designed for tents, free-standing field lights, fencing, ticket pavilion, restroom/storage buildings, and plaza). Bleacher seating on the north and south sides of the stadium is included.
- Widening the field and a 9-lane track will likely need to occur in summer 2025.
- The west side of the stadium, capacity approximately 12,000, will remain standing to allow for continued operation of the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship. Demolition of the west side of the stadium can begin as early as June 2026.
- Future phases include a new west stadium structure with seating for more than 6,000. The new west stadium would include a single level of press boxes and viewing decks, offices/locker rooms/team room areas for a possible future soccer team, as well as restrooms, concessions and storage rooms.
- Capacity of University Stadium, when completed, is planned for approximately 13,500.
- The stadium opened in 1946 as Veterans Field and was expanded and renamed Cessna Stadium in 1969.
- Wichita State has served as the host for all classes since 1970, except for 1978 when track renovation split the classes into three locations (Salina, Augusta, Wichita).
Information about the project can be found at goshockers.com and kshsaa.org.