BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
The former Kemper Arena served as home to several NCAA basketball regionals and a few regular season college games. The building was once home to the Kansas City Kings and after their departure held a few exhibition NBA games. The 1989 McDonalds All American game was played at Kemper, that game featured a young Shaquille O’Neal. After the Kings left for Sacramento the arena witnessed the doors opened less and less to basketball. After the Sprint Center was opened in downtown Kansas City it was assumed Kemper would face demolition. October 5, 2018 witnessed the grand opening of the new Hy Vee Arena.
The arena has been
refurbished to the tune of $39 million.
The arena now contains an upper and lower level. The upper or second level contains 8 multi-use
courts each containing basketball goals, in addition there is a running
track. The lower level contains 4
multi-use courts. There are businesses
and restaurants in the revamped arena.
No more NBA or college basketball but the opportunity for the community
to fully utilize a building about to see the wrecking ball. Hy Vee is a grocery chain with stores in
Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and
Wisconsin. Hy Vee signed a 10-year naming
rights agreement on the arena. The song from the Rogers
& Hammerstein musical Oklahoma, “Everything’s
up to date in Kansas City” fits
this building.
Welcome to Laker Nation
All are welcome, several Laker Haters have now become Laker fans. They admit to being LeBron fans and it just so happens he now plays for the Lakers. One I’m not sure of, he might have been a Kobe Hater more than he was anti-Laker. In any event he’s come on board as well. I say to all, you are welcome aboard the Purple and Gold train, no championship promised yet however it’s on the way.
All are welcome, several Laker Haters have now become Laker fans. They admit to being LeBron fans and it just so happens he now plays for the Lakers. One I’m not sure of, he might have been a Kobe Hater more than he was anti-Laker. In any event he’s come on board as well. I say to all, you are welcome aboard the Purple and Gold train, no championship promised yet however it’s on the way.
I wonder
The Sonics franchise departed Seattle 10-years ago, despite this fact the love affair continues. It was announced a sellout, the exhibition game between the Warriors and Kings. A favorite son Kevin Durant had returned to the Emerald City, 17,074 fans packed Key Arena. I’m unsure if the term favorite son might be correct in this instance, Durant did play his rookie year in Seattle. I didn’t hurt his cause he wore a Shawn Kemp Sonics jersey as he addressed the gathering prior to the game. In another part of the nation specially the State of Missouri. It’s been twice as long for Kansas City fans and 1968 for NBA fans in St. Louis.
I wonder if Sprint Center or
Enterprise Center would be full if the Kings or Hawks returned for an
exhibition game? Oh well there is no
method to answer the question we can only ponder what might occur here. Back to Seattle, I’d read Key Arena would be
closed after this game and construction on the inside of the arena would
begin. The iconic roof designated on the
national register would have to be retained, the bowl portion of the arena will
be demolished and re-built. The time
frame for completion of construction is reported to be 2020 or later. There are key issues to be worked out however
Seattle should gain the Sonics once again
The Sonics franchise departed Seattle 10-years ago, despite this fact the love affair continues. It was announced a sellout, the exhibition game between the Warriors and Kings. A favorite son Kevin Durant had returned to the Emerald City, 17,074 fans packed Key Arena. I’m unsure if the term favorite son might be correct in this instance, Durant did play his rookie year in Seattle. I didn’t hurt his cause he wore a Shawn Kemp Sonics jersey as he addressed the gathering prior to the game. In another part of the nation specially the State of Missouri. It’s been twice as long for Kansas City fans and 1968 for NBA fans in St. Louis.
