KANSAS CITY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — In an effort to cut cots, the Kemper Arena has cut four staffers from its roster of employees. Among the outgoing employees is former assistant general manager Michael Young. In addition to Young, three administrative positions have also been eliminated.
AEG was quick to reassure that this wasn't a dark portent of the future for the venue.
"Kemper Arena remains a viable asset for the city," AEG spokeswoman Shani Tate Ross told the Kansas City Star "AEG is trying to manage it effectively and minimize expenses.
"It still has plenty of life but it must be programmed correctly," she added "We will continue to have great shows there."
Not everyone's a Kemper enthusiast however and at least one city Council member is talking closure for the 35-year-old venue. The city is facing a steep budget shortfall for the next year that some estimates have put at $90 million and Councilman Russ Meyers sees the Kemper as place to make some cuts.
It’s losing money," Meyers told the Star "If we keep that building open, it means less firefighters, less police or less trash being picked up."
AEG took over management of the Arena complex in January and since then, have reported being faced with numerous unanticipated expenses such as repairs to walkways and repairs to the ice making equipment that AEG says have cost them several hundred thousand dollars, the Star reported.
"There was a long laundry list of surprises," Ross said. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
