Hutchinson officials are exploring the possibility of making improvements to a sports arena in order to keep a national junior college basketball tournament in town.

The city has issued a request for qualifications to find an architectural firm to determine the scope and costs of making changes to the 61-year-old arena.

The National Junior College Athletic Association has told the city that it will seek bids from other cities to host the tournament if improvements aren’t made to the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff says changes being discussed include restroom upgrades, entrance upgrades and hospitality space to appeal more to fans.

Hutchinson has hosted the annual national tournament since 1952 when competition began and the current contract expires in 2017.

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Associated Press information from: The Hutchinson News