American Royal Relocates

The announcement is the result of months of work by Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Department of Commerce to lure the 117-year-old exhibition across the state line. The state and American Royal officials plan a $160 million development near the Kansas Speedway, with an exposition center and two arenas – one with 5,000-8,000 seats and the other with a couple thousand for smaller events. Kansas is expected to authorize $80 million in bonds to be paid off with sales tax revenues collected in the area, Brownback said, and officials hope the development will attract a new hotel. “This is an important growth opportunity for both the Royal and the region,” Brownback said during a news conference.

“It’s up to us to claim this mantle and move it forward.” The effort previously generated controversy as some Kansas legislators questioned whether it came with a potential cost to the cash-strapped state. Sales tax revenues used to back bonds for such a project would not extend to the state as it deals with budget problems. Kansas State Sen. Laura Kelly said she’s leery of issuing additional bonds. While she acknowledged some excitement that Wyandotte County was attracting a big project and new jobs, she said it doesn’t please her to know those things come at Missouri’s expense. “It’s sort of more of the same of just stealing from Missouri rather than trying to grow that region altogether,” said Kelly, who serves on the Senate budget committee.

American Royal officials spent several years trying to persuade leaders in Kansas City, Mo., to tear down the aging Kemper Arena, the former home of the event, and replace it with a smaller venue. But officials eventually dropped the effort following criticism from historic preservationists and other groups who want the 42-year-old arena to be saved. A report by the Kansas Department of Commerce described a Kansas-based American Royal as part of a major development near the speedway that would include a new hotel, a children’s museum and a 5,000-seat arena that could be used for hockey. Angie Stanland, chairwoman of the Royal’s board of directors, said it hopes to break ground on the development early next year. The project could take two years to complete.