Cessna Stadium looks different this track season

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichita State’s track and field team hosted its first outdoor meet of the season on Friday and Saturday, but Cessna Stadium looks different from this time last year.

That’s because the east side bleachers are missing. The school tore them down and is taking bids for proposed renovations. Back in December, the university received one bid and turned it down.

“We felt like it was the fiduciary responsibility to reject that first one and then get into a process where we could secure more competitive pricing,” Wichita State Athletic Director Kevin Saal said.

Saal says they hope to pick a bid soon and start construction in the summer. But one big question is what will high school state track and field look like in May?

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“What it will look like in May is we will probably have 1,500 to 2,000 bleachers on that east side,” Saal said.

Saal adds that he’s been in continuous contact with Bill Faflick, the executive director of KSHSAA, about the changes for this year.

“The other things that we’ve talked about is we want to make sure that there’s no surprises for athletic directors and track coaches and parents and families that are coming in,” Saal said.

KSHSAA’s executive director Bill Faflick says WSU has kept him and staff up to date in ongoing conversations about state track and field and keeping it at Cessna Stadium for years to come. In the meantime, the east side will serve as a seating and team camping area for the state competition in May.

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