I might point out that the community had been talking about Kansas Kids Wrestling before families started checking in to the hotels. Two articles (one an editorial from the paper board) pointed out that it is a community effort to keep the tournament here in Topeka and we do understand the HUGE impact that the tournament brings to our city. Here are the links.

http://cjonline.com/news/business/2011-03-24/wrestling-tourney-wraps-big-numbers-city

http://cjonline.com/opinion/2011-03-25/editorial-kids-wrestling-win-city



The story on Sunday regarding our expansion and renovation (though had a horse on the front page)missed the point of the need for improvements. A lot of improvements that were proposed were in Landon Arena just for events such as Kansas Kids. We must improve our facilities to keep up with the growing competition from other venues in Kansas that go after this event. Yes our community cares, yes our staff at the Expocentre cares and we want this event to stay in Topeka.

Sometimes it is not all about the money and economic impact, in my case it is about pride. I am proud to host Kansas Kids, and proud to know a lot of people associated with Kansas Kids. Many former champions are now fathers and coaches standing on the side of the mats sometimes screaming the same spittle laden incoherent instructions that, many years ago when they were on the mat almost on their back were thinking "If he thinks this is so easy maybe he should get down on the mat and try this. I will never yell like that to my son or daughter if I get the chanch".

There are cheers and tears. Fathers jumping, mothers hugging. In the end that is what it is all about. Are we at the Expocentre perfect? no. Each year though we try to improve just a little bit more to say on Sunday afternoon. We did it!

Thank you all for coming to Topeka. I welcome all suggestions and complaints so we can continue to evolve and improve.

H.R. Cook
General Manager
Kansas Expocentre/SMG