Here’s what you didn’t know about the Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City
Talk about natural light. | Photo by KCtoday
The Hy-Vee Arena has seen various stages of purpose + use in the Historic West Bottoms. What started purely as an entertainment venue now serves the community through sporting events, public amenities, and opportunities for local businesses.
Editor Bella took a stroll with Hy-Vee Arena sales executive Emma Ludwig to learn more about what the space has to offer — plus, some reminiscing on how it has evolved over several decades.
The history
Does Kemper Arena ring a bell? What we now know as the Hy-Vee Arena didn’t actually start that way. Kemper opened in 1974 and operated under that name until its 2017 renovation. Throughout the 1980s, the arena served as a mecca for college basketball and other KC sports teams like the Kings (hey, SACtoday).
The arena underwent a $29 million renovation to be converted into a youth sports facility and reopened in 2018 under its new name. Now, it serves as the nation’s first multi-level, multi-functional sports complex, with ~233,000 annual visitors.
Get your head in the game.
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Photo by KCtoday
The specs
The arena is equipped with two separate floors encompassing over 82,000 sqft — featuring 12 hardwood maple courts striped for NBA, collegiate, and high school regulation. The courts can also be lined for volleyball, futsal, and pickleball. Plus, the space has one of the longest indoor tracks at 350 meters in the nation, with five racing lanes and a Mondo track surface.
Supporting local biz
The Hy-Vee Arena isn’t just a sports facility — it also serves as a place for local businesses to set up shop. The arena houses opportunities for:
Reading to the Rooster | Wednesday, June 7 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, 11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, KS | Free | Bring the kids to visit some fine feathered friends and show off their reading skills to entertain the flock.
Percheron Summer Concert Series | Wednesday, June 7 | 7 p.m. | Crossroads Hotel, 2101 Central St., Kansas City, MO | $20 | Get your groove on (rooftop style) with Calvin Arsenia while sipping on craft cocktails.
Thursday, June 8
Salsa Night | Thursday, June 8 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, 1400 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free admission | Get your dancing shoes for this salsa night in the Power & Light District.
ILLENIUM | Thursday, June 8 | 8 p.m. | Azura Amphitheater, 633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, KS | $39.50-$100 | Party with this EDM artist under the stars.
Friday, June 9
Arts in the Park | Friday, June 9-Saturday, June 10 | Times vary | Macken Park, 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr., North Kansas City, MO | Free admission | See 50+ fine artists and makers while enjoying live music, food, and activities.
Riff Generation | Friday, June 9 | 7 p.m. | Medallion Theater, 300 E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO | $23-$60 | Tap into new music rooted in the Kansas City jazz tradition.
Saturday, June 10
Brick Fest Live | Saturday, June 10-Sunday, June 11 | 9 a.m. | KCI Expo Center, 11730 N. Ambassador Dr., Kansas City, MO | $16.99-$37.99 | See life-sized Lego models and engage with hands-on attractions.
Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival | Saturday, June 10 | 9:45 a.m. | Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza | Free | Watch dragon boats march along the eastern banks of Brush Creek to kick off a day of racing.
In a clinical study, 90% of women saw overall improvement in their hair after six months of taking Nutrafol Womens Hair Growth Supplement. | Photos provided by Nutrafol
Which root causes are affecting your hair health?
A. Stress B. Nutrition C. Hormones D. All of the above
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Yoli Tortilleria won the James Beard award for “Outstanding Bakery” at Monday’s ceremony in Chicago. Owner Marissa Gencarelli thanked Kansas City for supporting the Westside shop’s mission to “honor the very humble tortilla.” (Kansas City Magazine)
Sports
After missing their last opportunity due to the pandemic, the Chiefs visited the White House as two-time Super Bowl champs. Highlights: a shoutout from the POTUS, the Grizzlies’ tunnel dance, and a missed Kelce State of the Union. (ESPN)
Development
The Kansas City Current revealed renderings of the new stadium’s Stadium Supporter section. The seating, just 15 feet from the pitch, will “anchor the matchday experience” by providing superfans a place to hang banners, lead cheers, and gather with dedicated food and drink offerings. (KSHB)
Art
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Art Gallery will host its newest exhibition, “This Skin I’m In,” until Wednesday, July 12. The photography exhibit invited LGBTQ+ artists to share narratives of self-expression and “rethink societal labels of difference and otherness.”
Edu
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City opened a waitlist for its Atomic Blast summer enrichment program, aimed at preventing learning loss for 2,000 children. The program is currently full but will provide free lunches to anyone under 18 regardless of enrollment. (KSHB)
Open
Perspire Sauna and Studio, a nationwide infrared sauna chain, opened its first Kansas City studio at Lenexa City Center. The sauna’s infrared lights warm your body directly, rather than warming the air like a traditional sauna. (Shawnee Mission Post)
Health
ICYMI, The University of Kansas Health System recently opened a new location at Corbin Park (6501 W. 135th St., Ste. F7, Overland Park). The new facility offers board-certified internal medicine primary care, physical therapy, and more.*
The Buy
Turn misplaced keys into a thing of the past with the Apple AirTag. The button-sized tracking device can give you step-by-step directions to your lost keys (or phone…or wallet…) and has a battery life of one year. Pro tip: Put one in your checked luggage and never worry about lost baggage again.*
Shop
Need to find your dad the perfect Father’s Day gift? You’re in luck. Check out gifts from our online store (Six & Main) that will make for a great surprise. From the outdoor explorer to the foodie dad, there’s a present for every type of father. Shop now.
Get your walking shoes on + your water bottles filled. | Photo by KCtoday Team
Today is Global Running Day — let’s celebrate the right way.
Lace up your tennis shoes and keep scrolling to find the best parks to get your heart pumping.
Fleming Park, 22807 Woods Chapel Rd., Blue Springs, MO
This park covers 7,800+ acres of recreational parkland and is located ~15 minutes from KC. Check out these maps for trails.
Ernie Miller Park, 909 N. Hwy. 7, Olathe, KS
Find views of diverse habitats, multiple hiking trails, and even a nature center to visit before heading on your run.
Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd., KCMO
This spot is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without goingfar — ideal for a lunch break run.
Roe Park, 10400 Roe Ave., Overland Park, KS
This park is perfect for entertaining the kids while getting a run in — featuring tennis courts, picnic benches, a nature playground, and a splash pad.
Is anyone else wondering what Travis Kelce wanted to say at the White House? You know, before his big brother Mahomes pulled him away from the mic. Classic.
What do you think Kelce was hoping to say? Hit me with your replies and I’ll share the best ones later this week.
My guess: “You gotta fight for your right to party!”
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