SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz updated Hutch Post on the progress of repairs and construction at the Bison Arena.
"Right now we have the construction company, Harman Huffman is over there, they are starting on Phase I," Schulz said. "Phase I will include a brand new roof, doors, windows, redoing all of the brick work, all that kind of stuff."
Schulz says people that have driven by the arena on the grounds should notice work being done.
"If you've driven by there lately, you'll see a lot of work has been done," Schulz said. "They're in the process right now of redoing the roof. All of the windows have been taken out, so they're working very diligently to try getting all of that ready to go."
Schulz also gave a timeline of the construction process.
"Phase I is scheduled to be done middle of August next year," Schulz said. "We're also looking at Phase II, which is with the architects right now, they're getting all of the final paperwork done, and then that will go out to bid, which will include quite a bit of the interior on the main floor, including a restroom, HVAC system, about 50 percent of the concrete on the main floor. There are some alternates that if the bids come in low enough, we'll be able to do some more work."
Schulz says there is a chance the arena could be open next year for the fair.
"There is a chance, depending on how quickly we get the bid out and how long it's going to take," Schulz said. "There might be a possibility being able to use some of it next year for fair, as well, but we're not 100 percent sure."
The 2025 Kansas State Fair will be held Sept. 5-14.