KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Architects, preservationists and some longtime supporters of Kansas City's American Royal say it would be a shame to demolish the iconic Kemper Arena while the facility still has several good years left in it.
The American Royal board in 2011 proposed tearing down the arena on the city's West Bottoms and replacing it with a 5,000-seat equestrian facility geared toward year-round agricultural events.
The Kansas City Star reported (http://bit.ly/WdSpKN) fundraising for the proposed new $60 million project has been moving slowly. Supporters of Kemper Arena are pushing for alternatives such as revamping the facility to better suit American Royal events.
Kemper Arena was built in 1974. In its heyday it was home to major league basketball and hockey teams, and in 1976 was the site of the Republican National Convention.