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Kemper Arena Losing $92K A Month

Kemper Arena: losing $1.1 million per year, according to the convention department.
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Kemper Arena: losing $1.1 million per year, according to the convention department.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-830522.mp3

Kansas City, MO – At the Finance and Audit Committee meeting Wednesday, chair Deb Hermann looked back wistfully at a line of thinking that was common as the city contemplated building a new downtown arena: "There was going to be room for both Kemper and Sprint. We'd have great events at Kemper and it would keep it going, and in fact having two is better because you create more energy and will have better attendance at both. To everyone's disappointment it has not worked out that way."

Sprint Arena and the American Royal Complex are costing the city more than a million dollars a year in subsidies - plus debt retirement. The convention department suggests finding a company willing to take over operations on a long-term contract - or selling the facilities outright. The council continues to study the options.

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