Shocker spirit lives in the action, excitement and activity of Charles Koch Arena. It’s in the hearts of basketball greats like “Bookend Forwards” Cliff Levingston and Antoine Carr, Xavier “X” McDaniel and Dave Stallworth, who set nine school records and scored an incredible 46 points in one game. It’s in the bright eyes and loud cheers of eager Shocker fans. It’s also in the famous personalities who performed at the arena, like Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Jesse Jackson and Bob Hope.

Since 1955, the arena has been part of Wichita State University’s identity – part of what the school really is. So, after years of use, the “roundhouse” underwent a much-needed transformation.

Now, Charles Koch Arena is a beautiful, state-of-the-art building equipped for today’s entertainment and athletic needs. As WSU President Donald Beggs said, “This project has redesigned and redefined the future of the WSU community and will complement Wichita’s business, cultural and
social heart.”

The arena was only part of WSU’s restoration project. In fact, the entire Henry Levitt Athletic Complex was part of a $25 million “roundhouse renaissance” campaign by Wichita State to update its athletic facilities. The complex includes a Preferred Medical Systems Multi-Purpose Center, the 5,000-square-foot Downing Academic Learning Center, a Geist Student Services Building, the 6,000-square-foot Via Christi Sports Medicine Complex and more.

Special features of the new and expanded facilities include a new equipment room; treatment, rehabilitation and hydrotherapy areas for athletes; two full-size basketball (or three full-size volleyball) practice courts; study halls; office space; a computer room with 25 new machines; individualized tutoring rooms and locker complexes.

Devlin Court was transformed with the addition of a new spring-loaded biochannel basketball court floor – similar to one used in National Basketball Association (NBA) facilities. Above the floor hangs a new and vibrant $1 million video scoreboard with live action. Thirty-two 1000W computer-aimed sports lights were added to existing arena lights to increase vertical illumination on the court. Chair-back seats with wider rows and increased ADA seating allow over 10,400 fans to better “enjoy the action.”

A 250-person members-only restaurant and lounge called the Kouri Champions Club was also added to allow fans to watch Wichita State sporting events in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.

Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. (PEC) was entrusted with providing mechanical and electrical engineering designs for this renovation project.

Mechanical engineers from PEC designed new HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) systems for the arena. These systems allow the facility to be air-conditioned throughout for the first time and provide a comfortable environment for year-round use.

PEC’s electrical engineering designs include replacing the project’s existing power service with two new 4000A, 277/480V services. One serves the boiler house and new air-cooled chillers, while the other provides power and lighting for the main building.

Electrical distribution supports the new telecommunications/electrical systems including video, data and security for the athletic complex’s media/press room, ticket office, classroom, computer labs and scoreboard. Cabling systems provide support services for these new systems. In addition, a speaker system with ceiling mounted speakers in corridors, meeting rooms and restrooms permits individuals to hear the game in progress and not miss any of the action.

Fire alarm smoke detectors in the concourse and beam detectors in the arena work together to activate the smoke alarm system. A fire command center (utilizing voice evacuation and interfacing with the arena sound system) is also part of the fire alarm system. A 600KW exterior generator supplies emergency power for egress lighting and smoke evacuation system components.

The beautiful, new main building entrance features canopy mounted floodlights, soffit lights and diamond top bollards. Lighting in the expanded two-story concourse includes a pattern of lighted soffits and metal halide recessed lights. Fans can learn about Shocker sports history with the help of a new 10-foot high by 270-foot long hand-painted mural. The mural is illuminated by a special continuous light cove.

Other lighting features include prismatic glass metal halide fixtures in the large practice gym and weight training area. Energy efficient fluorescent lights and motion sensors brighten the offices, locker rooms, restrooms and concessions.

Charles Koch Arena – it’s where action, excitement and activity live. It’s where Shocker spirit lives.

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