Wizards Stadium at Bannister Mall

[KCMax]

I believe New York plays on artificial turf. Rockhurst seems like a good fit.

[KCFutbol]

If it's Ray-Pec rumour says the Wizards will be putting in Field Turf as part of the deal. 

[im2kull]

If it's Ray-Pec rumour says the Wizards will be putting in Field Turf as part of the deal. 

Jewell already has field turf..and is in a nice homely spot in the northland.  idk why they dont consider it.  Jewell is alot more ready for a major seating expansion than Ray-Pec Stadium.  I hate the stupid stadium there...in raymore/pec.  The last game I went to there we had to park literally a mile away on a SCHOOL SIDEWALK! At least jewell has TONS of campus parking everywhere!  Most the big liberty games were sellouts with people flooding onto the grass area and the last game against rockhurst drew almost 10k...yet the walk to the stadium took just one minute from parking at the maybee center, and there was PLENTY more parking/space available to stand or sit on the grass to watch.  The seats and concessions are the only downside there.  Raypec stadium is VERY far away for most fans, and the parking is sucky at best.  Not to mention that somewhere like Jewell already has NICE Sprint-Turf...a form of field turf...its the best in the business...alot softer than some others I've seen...

[Pork Chop]

As The Star reported last November, the Wizards have approached a group that wants to revitalize the Bannister Mall area. Heineman said Thursday that negotiations were progressing toward building a permanent stadium there.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/16601541.htm

[GRID]

[ComandanteCero]

sounds good to me, in fact this strikes me as one of the best sites (purely from a geographic point of view), you have easy highway access from virtually every part of the metro.  In terms of the reputation problems of the Bannister mall area, I don't see how it's much worse than how many people view the area around the Zoo, and yet it doesn't keep people from coming anyway.  I say GO FOR IT, but I would hope the city also tries to find a way to create some synergistic development on the side.

[briantsmith25]

Dude... Nobody goes to the zoo.

[KCMax]

You forgot to mention Pork Chop, that the Wizards announced they're playing at Arrowhead next year.

[staubio]

You forgot to mention Pork Chop, that the Wizards announced they're playing at Arrowhead next year.

Well, not officially.

Press Release from the Wizards:

Earlier this week, the Wizards announced an exciting new joint venture with Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Within the month, we plan to break ground on a state-of-the-art training facility in Swope Park, a large and attraction-filled destination park in the heart of Kansas City. As we continue to make progress towards a world-class soccer-specific stadium, speculation continues to swirl around where the Wizards will play their home match inventory in 2007.

We appreciate the fact that the Kansas City community, including media outlets and Wizards fans, remain interested and involved in our process of finalizing a 2007 venue. We also value the dedication of our season ticket holders for remaining loyal throughout this period of uncertainty, and please be assured that we are actively working to finalize a ticketing plan that will best serve all Kansas City Wizards fans.

As has been reported, the organization recently learned that Arrowhead Stadium is a viable option as a 2007 venue. Recent reports have also linked the Wizards to Ray-Pec High School, Rockhurst High School, College Boulevard Activities Center, Truman High School, William Chrisman High School, and more. Out of respect for the process we have run around this crucial decision, we will not comment on any of these reports until we have an agreement in place with a facility.

We will announce the location of our 2007 venue after the Wizards practice on Tuesday, February 6th.

[kard]

From the Star article:

Wizards president Robb Heineman confirmed Thursday afternoon that OnGoal LLC, the Wizards’ owners, had agreed in principle to play at Arrowhead Stadium for the 2007 Major League Soccer season. The team will make an official announcement Tuesday.

[Pork Chop]

You forgot to mention Pork Chop, that the Wizards announced they're playing at Arrowhead next year.

I didn't want to stray from the subject of the Wizards locating the stadium at Bannister Mall in this thread. I was going to put the info of the Wizards playing at Arrowhead next year in the KC Sports section, but I didn't find an "Official: Wizards" thread.  I guess I should have just created one 

[SamPierron]

Just so you know...I work for the Wizards, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the Swope Park project.  As for Bannister Mall or any other permanent stadium site...I can't comment in great detail about that, because I'd like to still have a job tomorrow.  It's one of several possibilities, all of which are quite exciting, but only time will tell which one becomes the future home of the team.  It suffices to say that everyone here is extremely confident about the team's future in KC. 

[KCMax]

When do you expect a decision on a permanent site to be made Sam?

[tat2kc]

Hey Sam! I have a relative who also works for the wizards.

[tjokskalle]

  Thats so silly! a stadium out there in crimeville?lol

[SamPierron]

When do you expect a decision on a permanent site to be made Sam?

I know better than to set a date on it.  It's an extremely complicated process...as you all, who follow development, know.  Everyone would be happiest if we announce a site in the next few months, preferably in time to have the stadium up and running for 09.  If that happens, great.  If not, it isn't the end of the world.

[SamPierron]

Hey Sam! I have a relative who also works for the wizards.

Not me, I presume.

[QueSi2Opie]

  Thats so silly! a stadium out there in crimeville?lol

I hated the idea at first, but now I love it! Just imagine if they can build a soccer-specific stadium right off Bannister Road between the "V" of Highway 71 and Interstate 435?

1.) Easy Interstate access for soccer moms from Leawood, Overland Park, and Lee's Summit. 
2.) People in the Northland passing through downtown as they head south on 71. 
3.) People from Belton and Raymore heading up 71.
4.) Blue Springs and Western Independence residents connecting via 470.
5.) Maybe 10 minutes from downtown. 
6.) The Swope Park Soccer Training facility being only 5 minutes from the stadium. 
7.) Cerner's new facility being seconds from the stadium.
8.) A chance at rehabbing some of the surrounding area with new retail and restaurants.
9.) Targeting a new group of potential fans (African-Americans).
10.) Downtown skyline visible from ESPN blimp shots of the stadium.         

[tat2kc]

itsn't there a lot of land available where the old HQ was? Just across Bannister from the Home Depot. Its not far from Bannsiter Mall, but the fact that its across 435 might lessen the feeling of being in a high crime area, as faulty as that assumption might be.  In addition, the incredibly easy acess to both 71, 435, and 470 would make it quickly accessible to a lot of the metro area.  Que is right, its  a location with a lot going for it.

[HockeyPunkKC]

i love the idea of the mall location.  its perfect as far as location.