Intrust Moves Up

Fans won’t miss a second of the action at sporting events once Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan., opens, now that the venue has been approved for a $1.7 million seating upgrade.

Sedgwick County commissioners approved Feb. 4 an elevated seating system for the 15,000-seat arena, which is expected to open in January 2010, according to the Wichita Eagle.

Patrons on lower levels, including fans with floor tickets, will now sit in seats on risers rather than folding chairs in rows on the floor.

Because the rows of folding chairs won’t have to be removed by staff, the seating system is also said to save labor time as well as allow seating to be changed quickly.

A 1 percent arena sales tax that was collected from July 2005 to December 2007 and brought in $206.5 million will cover the upgrade, according to the paper.

The seating will be custom-built and installation will start in November.

SMG is providing pre-opening consulting services and management for the venue, according to the arena’s Web site.