The Coliseum Our Community Built

(Wichita Eagle Anniversary Article 02/06/04) - By Laurie L. Dove

As the Kansas Coliseum celebrates its 25th anniversary, its positive impact can still be felt. For years, this world-class venue has offered a boost to Sedgwick County’s economy and has delivered a new level of entertainment and culture to the community.

Before the coliseum came to fruition, however, it took 13 years of planning, fund raising and dedication. To make the multipurpose Kansas Coliseum a reality, citizens supporting — and working directly on — the project had to stay focused on the dream.

Looking for a larger venue

As early as September 1965, it was clear Sedgwick County needed a new livestock and agricultural exhibit hall. The razing of Wichita’s Forum to make way for Century II left the city without adequate facilities for agricultural and livestock shows like the Kansas National Junior Livestock Show.

“I remember that after the Forum was torn down, the Circus came to Century II. It was decided, at that moment, that Century II would never host animal events,” said Fran Jabara, a Wichita businessman who became involved with the Kansas Coliseum during its earliest planning stages.

Calling all supporters

But what about the funding needed to raise the Kansas Coliseum from the drawing board? Thanks to an earlier study by the Wichita Regional Economic Adjustment Committee and support from then-Kansas Senator Bob Dole, the project received a $2.2 million EDA/Ozark Regional Commission grant. The remaining funds would come from property tax levies, bonds, other grants and private donations of $1.1 million.

As the plans developed, an additional livestock facility and an RV park were included in the final project and a board of directors was established.

Jabara was one of the original chairmen in 1974, and was challenged with raising the $1.1million in private donations. Jabara also was instrumental in establishing the Kansas Coliseum’s non-profit charitable organization status, which enabled donors to deduct contributions.

“We began raising funds during very poor economic times; the economy was unbelievably slow. Fortunately, a number of business people believed the Kansas Coliseum was important to the future of Wichita,” Jabara said.

While planning got under way, the search for a Kansas Coliseum director ended in 1975 with the appointment of Sam Fulco. Fulco hit the ground running, adding a number of refinements to the architectural plans and bids were taken to begin construction. The total cost of the Kansas Coliseum complex reached $10.3 million.