KC Crew’s fall leagues set to be first players in overhauled Hy-Vee Arena
September 7, 2018 | Elyssa Bezner
The newly renovated Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City’s West Bottoms is like a giant sports coworking space, said Luke Wade.
Coffee shops, restaurants, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other offerings are joining his adult sports and events company in the revamped former Kemper Arena facility, said Wade, founder of KC Crew.
And although the arena officially opens Oct. 5, KC Crew starts its league play Sept. 17, giving their teams the opportunity to be the first to enjoy the new sports complex, he said.
“We’re not only running leagues there at Hy-Vee Arena, but we’re also moving all of our offices into the space too,” he added.
Registration for the fall leagues ends Sept. 8, he said.
Opening day at the arena will involve the world’s biggest happy hour, tours, and KC Crew will be running pickup games in the space, he added.
The renovation of the arena was extensive, said Wade.
It’s large open bowl shape with stadium seats has been removed, with developers cutting the space in half vertically to add 12 full-size courts across two levels, he said.
The courts can be used for basketball, indoor volleyball, cheerleading and more, he added.
Developers also added a running track around the top level that at 350 meters will be the biggest indoor running track in the inner continental U.S., said Wade.
KC Crew’s move into the arena comes just after a period of growth for the startup, following its expansion into the Northland and south into Overland Park, along with taking over the Kansas City Star’s former offices to create Bar + Rec, a space expected to open in 2019.
KC Crew has grown from Wade and his friends renting a softball field for after-work games to 10,000 members in six years across 13 different sports and activities, ranging from pickleball to karaoke, he said.
By the end of 2018, KC Crew plans to carry 20,000 players city-wide, he said.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Couple with tech, startup background embraces risk-taking as new Pitch owners
Local ownership of The Pitch will preserve the Kansas City alternative news publication’s voice, as well as expanding digital content for readers, and promotions and services for advertisers, Stephanie Carey said. “I love the independent voice. I love the fact that we can push those boundaries, push the envelope on stories, dig a little deeper,”…
Cultural differences contribute to entrepreneur access gap, Porter House founder says
Early education about entrepreneurism and the resources available aren’t typically priorities in low- to moderate-income communities, said Daniel Smith. “A lack of access results because we don’t really have a lot of programs in our communities that focus on small business and entrepreneurism,” said Smith, founder of The Porter House KC. “It’s more focused on…
Missouri, Airbnb announce revenue-sharing state sales tax deal
As Kansas City wrangles with its own short-term rental rules, Airbnb and the Show Me State announced an agreement Wednesday that will allow the home-sharing giant to collect and remit taxes on behalf of 6,300 Missouri hosts. Effective Feb. 1, the tax agreement with the Missouri Department of Revenue adds a state sales tax — now…
FEWDM drops high-tech fitness devices, pivots to workout apparel
Not every promising startup venture can keep the ball moving toward the end zone. It’s a lesson FEWDM founder Tommy Saunders says he’s blessed to have learned — despite the bittersweet turn for the former Detroit Lions receiver’s company. “We have a strong brand that our customers connect with and have grown to love,” Saunders…