Ballpark Milestones

The Greater Kansas City Sports Commission was empaneled by Mayor Ilus Davis on January 4, 1966 to study plans for a new sports complex. The chairman of the group, Kansas City Star Sports Editor Ernie Mehl, stated their purpose was "To support the Athletics and Chiefs and to support the building of a sports complex to meet the needs of a growing city."

On July 15, 1966, Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes selects the first five members of the Jackson County Sports Authority appointed to oversee plans for a potential new sports complex. Dutton Brookfield is named Chairman.

After public hearings to consider different plans and locations, the Sports Authority announced on January 5, 1967 their recommendation of a two stadium complex to be built near the intersection of I-435 and I-70 east of downtown then known as the Leeds site.

Jackson County voters approve all seven parts of a $102 million bond issue on Tuesday June 28, 1967. The sports complex is the largest single part of the package at $43 million and receives 68.9% of in favor - needing 66.7% to pass.

The first major land purchase for the sports complex, accounting for 220 of the 370 acre site, was approved by the Jackson County Court on May 21, 1968. The agreement was the largest single land deal in county history.

Royals founder Ewing Kauffman and Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt joined other local dignitaries in turning the first shovels of earth for the sports complex project on Thursday July 11, 1968. The ceremony took place just off Leeds Road, now known as Stadium Drive, not far from current day Gate Six.