KC wants renovations, soccer park

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Unlike their counterparts in other cities, the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals don't want state and local governments to build them new stadiums.

They want money to make the ones they have more comparable with newer stadiums in their competitors' cities.

The city, Jackson County and the teams are planning renovations at the Truman Sports Complex, home of Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums where the Chiefs and Royals play.

Most desired by the start of the 2005 seasons are widened concourses, more concession outlets and restrooms, especially women's facilities. Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said when the complex was built 30 years ago, on team and county money, women made up a small fraction of sports fans. Restrooms were built accordingly.

The teams also envision the complex, about 15 minutes from downtown, becoming a small entertainment district with new restaurants and shops.

The state, under legislation filed by Sen. Harry Wiggins, D-Kansas City, and Rep. Dennis Bonner, D-Independence, would provide up to $9.8 million each year for the stadiums.

The state's contribution could total $294 million over 30 years, but no money would be spent until fiscal year 2006, when lawmakers hope the state's financial crunch will be over.

Have to renew sales tax

Before any state money would flow, Kansas City area residents would have to renew a one-eighth cent sales tax this November, which would provide $300 million -- half for the stadiums, the other half for art and cultural projects. For their part, the Royals and Chiefs would toss in a combined minimum of $50 million and extend their stadium leases to 2027, 13 years past their current contracts.

Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt said Arrowhead isn't too old now, but it will be by the time the team's lease expires.

"Like most homes, you think about a home where people live, they start to get a little tired after 20 years or so. Arrowhead has stood the test of time, but we need to think ahead," Hunt said in a telephone interview from Dallas.

Seven losing seasons

Royals owner David Glass said the renovations will generate more revenue needed to pay players who can make his cash-strapped team more competitive. The Royals have endured seven straight losing seasons.

In suburban Johnson County, Kan., officials are proposing a new soccer-only stadium for Kansas City's Wizards, the Major League Soccer franchise also owned by Hunt.

Funding for the park, which organizers say will cost about $30 million to $40 million, would also come from renewal of the one-eighth cent sales tax, called the bistate tax.

The Wizards will contribute money, too, although the amount has not been determined, said Steve Rose, a newspaper executive who is co-chairman of the campaign to renew the sales tax.

The team currently plays at Arrowhead, which is not conducive to soccer and creates scheduling problems with the Chiefs, Rose said.

The Kansas City proposal would include a complex of 20 youth soccer fields, Rose said.