Demolition of Kansas Wesleyan’s historic Glenn Martin Stadium has started. As a crowd looked on, demolition began during the noon hour on Thursday on the stadium, which opened back in 1940

Because of its condition, Glenn Martin Stadium has not been utilized for KWU games since 2007. The stadium is being demolished to make way for a new sports complex.

Winter weather delayed the start of demolition a few weeks; however, it will not impact the construction dates. The first phase of the Sports Complex project involves completing the football and soccer fields, eight-lane track, perimeter fencing, lights and resurfacing of the tennis courts.

Kansas Wesleyan’s soccer and football teams will kick off their 2014 fall seasons in the new venue. Sacred Heart Junior/Senior High and the Salvation Army football teams will also utilize the fields this fall. Phase II includes the grandstand-construction could begin as early as November 2014. Phase III will be the completion of the field house with locker rooms for soccer and visiting teams.

Sandstone from Glenn Martin Stadium will be preserved for a memorial in the new Sports Complex, and for souvenirs, which will be available through the university bookstore in the coming months.