Hutchinson Sports Arena

Hutchinson Sports Arena is a 7,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hutchinson, Kansas, United States. It is located a few blocks east of Plum Street on the north side of 11th Street on the campus of Hutchinson Community College. The arena hosts local sporting events and concerts.HistoryThe building was opened in 1952. Though owned by the City of Hutchinson, the arena is run and maintained by Hutchinson Community College.The NJCAA Men's Basketball Championship has been held at the arena since it first opened.Renovation ProjectIn 2013, the NJCAA expressed concerns to the City of Hutchinson about the facility and what could be done to improve the overall tournament experience. A steering committee was created to explore improvements to the aging building. In 2014, the city solicited a request from architectural consultants for improvements, and hired the firm of Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey (SJCF). The preliminary plans were presented by the architects to the City Council in December 2014.In 2015, Hutchinson voters approved a 0.35% tax increase to update the arena with $29.5 million improvements. The tax took effect in July 2015 and would remain in place for about 10 years. Hutchinson Community College pledged $4.5 million for the project. In 2016, the NJCAA signed a 25-year contract to hold the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at the arena until 2041.The estimated $29.5 million improvements include: community gyms & running track, weight training & sports medicine room, locker and team areas, drop-off plaza and new entrances, lobby & ticketing, concessions & food service areas, restrooms & elevators, offices, club areas and conference rooms, landscaped parking facilities. Project Scope and Cost Estimates: South Spectator Addition - $8,885,147, North Athletic Addition - $13,243,832, Renovation of Existing Facility - $7,294,686, Total Project Cost - $29,423,664. The construction will occur in two phases and take approximately 1.5 to 2 years.