Demolition of Kemper Arena now more likely

The chairman of the board of the American Royal said tearing down Kemper Arena is a key element to improving the Royal, and that's coming from a man whose family name is on the building.

Mariner Kemper is the chairman of the board of the American Royal. After a group that wanted to remodel the existing building for a youth sports facility backed out this week, Kemper said the city should tear the arena down.

"The American Royal's numbers are not as good as all of us would have liked, but we've been forced to operate in subpar derelict facilities," Kemper said.

Kemper Arena hasn't had many concerts or other events since Sprint Center opened. It costs Kansas City more than $2 million per year.

The American Royal said it has a plan to demolish the arena and refurbish the Royal's other buildings. The plan calls for $30 million from the city. The city's plan is for $20 million.

"We now have an option between the Kemper plan in some form, or the status quo," said Scott Taylor of the Kansas City Council.

Kemper said Sporting Kansas City, which moved from Missouri to a new stadium in Kansas, should serve as the model to rebrand and revitalize the American Royal.

"The government found and saw that vision, backed it and built a great stadium out in Kansas," said Kemper. "Look what Sporting is today."

Kemper also said a new American Royal complex in the West Bottoms area will help lead to an economic revival in that part of Kansas City.

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Demolition of Kemper Arena now more likely