Hy-Vee Arena

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On May 23, 1999, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) hosted the Over the Edge pay-per-view event at Kemper Arena. During the event, Owen Hart, wrestling under his Blue Blazer gimmick, was to make a superhero-like ring entrance, which would have seen him descend from the arena rafters into the ring. He was, however, released prematurely when the harness line malfunctioned, and fell more than 70 feet (21 m) into the ring and later died at nearby Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill. [12] [13] After the incident, the event was halted for 15 minutes, until Vince McMahon and other WWF Corporate officials made the decision to continue the event. [14] Criticism later arose over the WWF's decision to continue the show after the accident. [15] In court, his widow Martha, children, and parents sued the organization, contending that poor planning of the dangerous stunt caused Owen's death. [16] WWF settled the case out of court, paying US$18 million to his widow, children, and parents. [17] Due to the accident and controversy surrounding the event, the Over the Edge name was retired. [18] The event was also not released for home video viewing until the launch of the WWE Network in 2014, where an edited version of the show that displays a tribute to Hart at the beginning but otherwise removes any mention of his involvement was released. [19] [20] In October 1999, Owen's brother, Bret Hart and longtime Hart family friend Chris Benoit had a tribute match in honor of Owen at Kemper Arena on WCW Monday Nitro . [21]

1990s additions and renovations

Additional American Royal livestock buildings were built adjoining Kemper in 1991–92 at a cost of $33.4 million (the City of Kansas City built the original American Royal Arena in 1922 nearby for about $650,000)

In 1997, a $23 million expansion made significant changes to the original Jahn design—most notably a glass-enclosed east lobby. Other changes include: 2,000 more seats, upgraded lower-level seating, four restrooms, and a handicapped entrance to the arena.

Conversion to youth sports and community gym facility

In 2017–18, the arena underwent a $29 million renovation by Foutch Architecture and Development LLC to be converted into a youth sports facility. [22] The renovated arena features 12 mixed-use hardwood basketball courts, four on the lower level and eight on the new upper level, and a 350-meter indoor running track. [23] Each level also has spaces for retail services and commercial office space. The renovated arena was previously set to be known as Mosaic Arena as a result of a naming rights sponsorship by Mosaic Life Care; however, Mosaic Life Care released its naming rights sponsorship in December 2017. [24] [25] [26] On May 17, 2018, Midwestern grocery store chain Hy-Vee secured the naming rights, making the arena's official name Hy-Vee Arena. [27]

American Royal

The American Royal Association formerly hosted livestock events at Kemper starting when it was first constructed. The Royal also helped pay for the original building. Its offices were located in the building along with the American Royal Museum. The Royal moved to a new complex that includes Hale Arena.

See also

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References

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Hy-Vee Arena
Hy-Vee Arena logo.svg
Hy-Vee Arena 2022.jpg
Exterior view of venue, 2022
Hy-Vee Arena
Former namesKemper Arena (1974–2018)
Mosaic Arena (2017)
Address1800 Genessee St
Kansas City, Missouri, US
Location West Bottoms
OwnerFoutch Brothers LLC
Capacity
  • 17,513 (1988–1997)
  • 19,500 (1997–2016)
  • 8,500 (2018–present)
Construction
Broke groundJuly 17, 1972 (1972-07-17)
OpenedSeptember 30, 1974 (1974-09-30)
Renovated1976, 1987, 1996, 2017–2018
Construction cost$23 million
($168 million in 2023 dollars [1] )
Architect Helmut Jahn
Services engineer HNTB
General contractor J. E. Dunn Construction Group
Tenants
Former tenants: see the History section
Website
hyveearena.com
Building details
General information
GroundbreakingSeptember 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)
OpenedOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
Renovation cost$39 million
Renovating team
Architect(s)Foutch Architecture and Development
Main contractorMcCownGordon Construction
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Kansas City Kings

1974–1985
Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of the
Republican National Convention

1976
Succeeded by
Preceded by NCAA Men's Division I
Basketball tournament
Finals Venue

1988
Succeeded by
Preceded by
first arena
Home of the
Kansas City Scouts

1974–1976
Succeeded by
Preceded by
first arena
Home of the
Kansas City Brigade

2006–2007
Succeeded by

39°5′31″N94°36′21″W / 39.09194°N 94.60583°W / 39.09194; -94.60583