I am also in agreement. I would have less opposition if they built the athletic facilities in a new building on the parking lot to the east, and used the Lyric's space for a big lecture hall, classrooms, health clinic, demonstration kitchen, and office space. The lecture hall could also be made available as an assembly hall/stage for plays for the downtown school next door.
They could retain most of the existing parking and build the athletic facilities on upper floors above it without much excavation at all.
I don't know why Historic Kansas City hasn't raised vocal opposition to the demolition of much of the building, but most of us already know it's a toothless organization.
I'd rather they leave the Lyric Building alone and build somewhere else if it means demolition. And what's the deal with that stupid little pocket park? Is that a future location for homeless people to pee at night? And that street-level blank wall facing Central? WTF? At least place some windows there so you can see what is happening inside and some light spills out into the street at night.