Wichita developer Johnny Stevens says he

hopes to make the Kansas Pavilions financially sound and keep them

open for years to come.

Sedgwick County recently agreed to sell the pavilions and Britt

Brown Arena at the former Kansas Coliseum complex to Stevens for

$1.5 million. The Wichita oilman has 60 days to determine if his

plan for the properties is financially viable.

He hopes to reopen the Britt Brown, which closed last year, and lease it to

the National Institute for Aviation Research.

He said he will work to keep the pavilions open for the horse,

livestock and dog shows.

The pavilions have not made money for the county, which has

heavily subsidized their operations. The estimated subsidy for this

year is $743,300.