25 January 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The timeline for an improved stadium at Wichita State University has hit a snag. WSU has rejected the only bid it got for the project.
In September 2022, the WSU Board of Trustees approved funding for the first phases of the plan to remake Cessna Stadium into University Stadium. The goal is to make it a state-of-the-art home for WSU athletics, events, and the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship.
Crews tore down the east side of the stadium last summer. In December, WSU took bids for Phase 1A and 1B. Only one offer came in.
“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,” Kevin Saal, WSU director of athletics, said in a news release.
He said the Kansas State High School Activities Association knows about the reopening of the bid process.
“WSU officials are in regular communication with KSHSAA – which remains committed to hosting 2024 State Track in Wichita – in development of an operational plan to ensure a first-class 2024 State High School Track meet in Wichita,” Saal said.
The track meet is scheduled for May 24-25 in the stadium. WSU says it can still set up a first-class team camp area, temporary bleachers to hold several thousand spectators, and food and restrooms on the east side for the track meet. WSU will ensure pathways are also safe.
KSHSAA staff are evaluating the existing site with plans to release the 2024 schedule in the next few weeks.
The plan is to have Phase 1A and 1B start after the track meet. Those phases include 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 a plaza).
The plan to widen the field and a 9-lane track could happen in the summer of 2025.
Wichita State Cessna Stadium rendering (Courtesy: Wichita State University)
The stadium’s west side still stands and can seat around 12,000. Demolition for the west side is expected around June of 2026. The replacement structure will seat more than 6,000 and have a single level of press boxes and viewing decks, offices/locker rooms/team room areas for a possible future soccer team, restrooms, concessions, and storage rooms.