Wichita Business Journal - by Chris Moon
Wink Hartman says he will break ground on his Park City arena within the next two months.

The Wichita oilman and developer says work will begin on the $20 million facility in August or September and has selected Wichita's The Law Co. Inc. to do the work.

Hartman says the groundbreaking will mark a rapid progression for a project that got under way less than six months ago. Opening is set for summer 2008.

"Hopefully, I will have an arena open in less time than the majority of people take to figure out how to proceed," says Hartman, in words that easily could be directed at Sedgwick County's downtown arena, which, three years after being approved by voters, has yet to break ground.

Hartman isn't pointing fingers. Instead, he says he's trying to tie up the last loose ends for a project that will give his indoor football team, the Wichita Wild, a permanent place to play at 77th Street North and Broadway.

"The most important issue is to do it right," he says.

Hartman's arena will come as a welcome relief to an area that has been marked by a parade of bad news in recent months.

Optima Bus Corp. at 77th Street and Interstate 135 announced it will close in August, laying off 217 people.

The highly trumpeted Wild West World just to the south suddenly closed this month. Its owner, Thomas Etheredge, has declared bankruptcy. More than 500 people were laid off.

"We're pretty optimistic," says Park City Administrator Jack Whitson. "There are people interested in the land, people interested in buying the theme park. It's just a blip on the scope as far as we're concerned. We don't see it as a lack of confidence in Park City."

Hartman says he selected The Law Co. -- the Wichita area's fourth largest general contractor -- to build the new arena because the firm is a local company with a good reputation.

"Whenever possible, I like to deal with people I can see face to face," Hartman says.

Rich Kerschen, president and chairman of The Law Co., says the arena will be an addition to the area's quality of life.
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