Once upon a time, Kemper Arena was the main arena in Kansas City hosting several events including the annual American Royal events. Some of the other events include the NCAA and Big 12 college basketball tournaments, Kansas City Blades hockey, Kansas City Attack and Comets indoor soccer, Kansas City Brigade arena football, concerts and other miscellaneous events.

Ever since the opening of the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City in October 2007, Kemper Arena has struggled to attract such events into the building, aside from the American Royal events.

At one point, AEG  thought it was possible to manage both the Sprint Center and Kemper Arena but Kemper has been losing money and Kansas City continues to spot the building’s operating costs.

Lately, the city has been going back and forth on the arena’s future. Some say the city should tear it down and let it rest in peace while Steve Foutch, who is owner of Foutch Brothers LLC, said he wants to revise it into something different like an equestrian center or a complex for youth sports and recreation.

I do agree there has to be something done to the property and it needs to be done sometime soon. But tearing it down and leaving what remains isn’t the answer.

I think revising and making it smaller to accompany equestrian events or a youth sports complex is the answer. This way the city can make more money and this will also help go with the city’s long-term plans on revitalizing the West Bottoms area.

Now all the city and Steve Foutch have to do is figure out how to settle the bill for paying the $60 million plan which also includes renovating the American Royal Center.

In the end, when it comes down to it, Kemper Arena will be remembered as a monument that added to city’s equestrian roots and the history of the American Royal. But revising it to accompany the modern times is definitely the way to go while honoring the legacy.