fbpx
Olathe Business Blog Header 240628 01

Accessible arena to house overlooked sports

Michael’s Wonder World is the centerpiece of the $388 million mixed-use district at 119th and Renner, but directly to the east of the all-abilities theme park is an impressive and equally accessible 5,000-seat arena.

What sets this arena apart is that it’s not necessarily designed for basketball or volleyball, but more for sports that aren’t at the forefront when it comes to these types of facilities, but are very expensive, according to James Arkell, COO of Loretto Properties, LLC.

This arena will be designed for hockey, dance, cheer and gymnastics, the sports that are oftentimes overlooked.

“There isn’t a facility for sports like this,” Arkell said. “It’s also going to have a very community feel to it. There will be graduations, sport competitions and community events, anything you can think of. The arena will be designed and adapted for easy accessibility for everyone.”

The arena will be nestled to the east of the amusement park on the southwest corner of 119th and Renner. In addition to the arena, Loretto Properties and VanTrust Real Estate will develop the $338 million mixed-use district featuring 67,000 sq. ft. of restaurant and retail space, a 25,000 sq. ft. medical office space and Michael’s Wonder World. 

“One of the great things about Olathe is that it’s great for the family, right?” Arkell said. “Great schools, great housing, great businesses.

“We’re building this to make it easy for families to come and enjoy everything that the state of Kansas and the City of Olathe has to offer.”

The idea behind the construction of the arena comes from the experiences that Arkell, Michael and the rest of their family have been through.

“There are usually a lot of tournaments associated with those sports and if you’re traveling with a family, let alone a special needs family member, we’re trying to make it as easy possible to come into town and have a good time,” Arkell said.

He added that the ultra-accessible arena will showcase the hospitality of the area.

It’s really about education as well,” he added. “A lot of the things we’ll be building into the area will be about helping people get an understanding of what’s going on with those with special needs.

“The hospitality part is something I’m very excited about. We’re going to have an ADA-compliant, fully accessible suite in the arena, too. We’re taking the problems that we’ve run into as a family and tried to adjust things accordingly.”

Not only will the arena and amusement park accessible to everyone, a hotel within the mixed-use project will also be ultra-accessible, too.

“It will be the only complex with an ultra-accessible arena, hotel and amusement park, as well as ultra-accessible living all in the same area,” Arkell added.