In anticipation of hosting NCAA basketball tournament games in 2018, Sedgwick County officials are pitching Intrust Bank Arena upgrades, with the Wichita arena potentially receiving $2 million in renovations.
The improvements are centered on the arena entrance closest to the Old Town area of Wichita, the so-called Entrance C. When the arena was designed, the assumption that was little traffic would be flowing into that entrance. But with the popularity of Old Town, fans entering the arena via Entrance C now sometimes comprise half of all fans at the arena. Not a bad problem to have (especially if you own an Old Town restaurant), but this has led to officials leading to spruce up the entrance. From the Wichita Eagle:
The remodel would add more space to the arena’s lobby, more doorways and staircases to the main and upper concourse.
It would also eliminate 13 parking spaces near the entrance to help create a plaza for lines similar to plazas near the arena’s other entrances.
“We feel this is extremely important; a much better guest experience than one single line going around the building,” Boleski said.
They’re also considering adding another box office location on that side of the arena.
One big reason why Intrust Bank Arena upgrades are on the agenda: making a big impression on NCAA officials could lead to further tournament rounds down the road. The downtown Wichita arena seats 15,004, with 22 suites and two group suites.
Photo courtesy Intrust Bank Arena.
