Why can't UMKC get it done

[hoopsmith]

Why can't UMKC get an arena built? I just don't get it.

I moved to Kansas City after graduating from a (then) D-2 school in Indiana. I read that UMKC was starting their first D-1 season and thought to myself, "I will support that" and went to every home game that season. I had season tickets for several seasons after that. Folks, this was in the late 80's and there is still no progress.

My alma mater, which is half the size of UMKC and in a town with another well established D-1 program built a new 4,800 seat arena about 5 years ago and made the move to D-1.

What is is about UMKC that they just can't get this job done?


MORE RANTING: Seriously, Mizzou can come up with $250M to add an additional 7K seats and UMKC can't come up with $100M to build a much needed, revenue generating facility?

[nodak651]

Apr 19, 2024 8:22:20 GMT -6 hoopsmith said:

Why can't UMKC get an arena built? I just don't get it.

I moved to Kansas City after graduating from a (then) D-2 school in Indiana. I read that UMKC was starting their first D-1 season and thought to myself, "I will support that" and went to every home game that season. I had season tickets for several seasons after that. Folks, this was in the late 80's and there is still no progress.

My alma mater, which is half the size of UMKC and in a town with another well established D-1 program built a new 4,800 seat arena about 5 years ago and made the move to D-1.

What is is about UMKC that they just can't get this job done?


MORE RANTING: Seriously, Mizzou can come up with $250M to add an additional 7K seats and UMKC can't come up with $100M to build a much needed, revenue generating facility?

This isn't the standard thought process, but as an outsider, I think it would be worth it for UMKC to look outside the box.  Why? Because it's hard to build a fan base and brand and to get attention when a school is in the shadows of p5 programs and pro sports.  UNO (Omaha) has similar issues to UMKC, as they are overshadowed by Creighton, which is right in their back yard, and Nebraska is who everyone is always talking about and following.  Yet, they were able to build a surprisingly large fan base, and they built an extremely nice arena by finding, and filling, a niche in the market.  UMKC and UNO are a lot alike, and it's rare that universities and athletic directors ever want to break the traditionally mold, but I think UMKC would really benefit by adding hockey and using that niche to help build a fan support.  It's the one sport that UMKC can play while being "the" team of Kansas City.  And even for hockey, there isn't a ton of competition.  

Hockey typically draws fairly well, and I think it could be paired with basketball to help drive revenue for a new facility.  If UMKC doesn't want to add hockey themselves, and ice sheet would allow a P3 partner to bring in an NAHL or USHL program to help drive revenue (to help pay for the bulding).  Junior programs and low level pro hockey teams are for profit, and they are often able to work with cities to get new arenas built.  I feel strongly that this could work really well in Kansas City, and given the current landscape, the Omaha model just makes a ton of sense.  Look at the plans for St. Thomas's new arena - a slightly smaller version of that would be perfect.