The building was opened in 1952. Though owned by the City of Hutchinson, the arena is run and maintained by Hutchinson Community College. The NJCAAMen's Basketball Championship has been held at the arena since it first opened.
Renovation Project
In 2013, the NJCAA expressed concerns to the City of Hutchinson about the facility and what could be done to improve the overall tournament experience. A steering committee was created to explore improvements to the aging building. In 2014, the city solicited a request from architectural consultants for improvements, and hired the firm of Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey. The preliminary plans were presented by the architects to the City Council in December 2014. In 2015, Hutchinson voters approved a 0.35% tax increase to update the arena with $29.5 million improvements. The tax took effect in July 2015 and would remain in place for about 10 years. Hutchinson Community College pledged $4.5 million for the project. In 2016, the NJCAA signed a 25-year contract to hold the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at the arena until 2041. The estimated $29.5 million improvements included: community gyms & running track, weight training & sports medicine room, locker and team areas, drop-off plaza and new entrances, lobby & ticketing, concessions & food service areas, restrooms & elevators, offices, club areas and conference rooms, landscaped parking facilities. Project Scope and Cost Estimates: South Spectator Addition - $8,885,147, North Athletic Addition - $13,243,832, Renovation of Existing Facility - $7,294,686, Total Project Cost - $29,423,664. The construction occurred in two phases and took approximately 1.5 to 2 years. The renovation was completed in 2016 in time for the 2016-17 basketball season.
Sports
College
The arena is the home of Hutchinson Community College men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams. Each March, the arena hosts the National Junior College Athletic Associationmen's basketball championship tournament. In 1948, the first NJCAA basketball tournament was played in Springfield, Missouri. In 1949, the tournament was moved to Hutchinson, then later played at the Hutchinson Sports Arena after it was built.
High School
Every year, the arena hosts the Kansas State High School Activities Association boys and girls 3A state basketball tournaments. Previously, the arena hosted Hutchinson High School varsity basketball until the SaltHawk Athletic Center was constructed across the street in about 2002.
