It’s been a part of the city for many years, but the NJCAA national Basketball Tournament could leave Hutchinson at the end of its current contract which expires in 2017.
NJCAA officials have apparently told Hutchinson officials they want some significant improvements to the Hutchinson Sports Arena for the tournament to continue being held in the city.
Some of those would be bathroom upgrades, entrance upgrades, additional space for hospitality, media rooms, graphics changes and painting according to City Manager John Deardoff. He tells the Hutch Post that these request would go beyond the current footprint of the Sports Arena.
Deardoff says after speaking with the American Legion and Hutchinson Community College, they will hire an architectural firm to put together a master plan with associated cost so they really know what they are talking about. He says they would then be able to determine what improvements are feasible for the city to undertake.
The NJCAA had just signed a contract extension for the tournament last year, keeping the event in Hutchinson through 2017. That includes an option for another 5-years after that.
Deardoff admits that all of this caught many by surprise including him. He says there are other communities that may have newer facilities with better amenities then what is available at the arena in Hutchinson.
No decisions have been made, but could be pretty good economic loss to the area should the NJCAA Tourney leave Hutchinson.