On June 1, Wichita State University begins its multi-year capital improvement plan to renovate Cessna Stadium into a state-of-the-art home for university, athletic and community events and the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship.
Parking on the east side of Cessna Stadium will be affected beginning June 1. No classes are scheduled this summer in Devlin Hall.
Demolition of the east stands is the first step in the project. This phase of the project is scheduled to be completed before the fall semester.
A live stream of the construction is available.
- Lot 3N (student and visitors) will be closed for the summer and reconfigured as part of a future phase of the project. The lot is scheduled to be open before school starts in the fall.
- Lot 11 (faculty/staff and visitors) will be closed for the summer to non-construction traffic and used for contractor parking. It will be reconfigured as part of a future phase of the project. The lot is scheduled to be open before school starts in the fall.
- Lot 3S (faculty/staff and visitors) will be closed for the summer. Updates on the availability of the lot in the fall will be provided. The lot will be closed permanently as part of a future phase of the project.
- Entry on Yale Avenue will remain open. Expect truck traffic.
Marcus Welcome Center addition
Construction on the Marcus Welcome Center addition project will begin on May 15. The eastern-most part of Lot 19E, next to Mike Oatman Drive at Eck Stadium, will close until the summer of 2024. Expect construction traffic on Mike Oatman Drive.
Background on Cessna Stadium project
In September, the Wichita State University Board of Trustees approved funding for phases 1A and 1B for the capital improvement plan to replace Cessna Stadium.
Timing of all demolition and renovations will be scheduled to avoid interruption of the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship in future years.
Demolition of the east stands of Cessna Stadium will begin immediately after the state track meet this year. Phase 1A begins in the fall with work scheduled to begin on improvements on the east side of the existing track (underground utility work, seating area for approximately 3,600 with a combination of bleacher seats and terraces designed for tents, free-standing field lights, fencing, ticket pavilion, restroom/storage buildings, and plaza).
Work is scheduled to be completed before the 2024 Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship.
Phase 1B begins after the 2024 Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship and includes widening the field and a 9-lane track. Bleacher seating on the north and south sides of the stadium is included.
Capacity of the stadium, when completed, is planned for approximately 13,500.