The entire Kansas Coliseum complex — Britt Brown Arena and the pavilions — would close in February under a plan by Sedgwick County's manager.
That's despite $6 million in improvements made to the pavilions about two years ago, paid for by the sales tax that voters approved in 2004 for Intrust Bank Arena. As part of the vote, the county agreed to spiff up the pavilions and did so — replacing roofs, making electrical and mechanical improvements and installing plumbing that makes water available throughout the complex for equestrian events.
The county projects that the pavilions will lose about $550,000 a year if kept open after Britt Brown Arena closes and Intrust Bank Arena opens early next year.
That's a loss the county can't afford at a time when revenue and state funding are down, county manager William Buchanan told commissioners.
Commissioners will decide the fate of the complex by Aug. 5, when they are scheduled to vote on the budget.
Read the complete story at kansas.com