On Tuesday, R. Crosby Kemper Jr. and his son Mariner Kemper were among several people urging the city to tear down Kemper Arena and replace it with a new equestrian and agricultural center that’s better suited to the needs of the American Royal, Kansas City’s premier annual livestock show.

American Royal leaders said it makes financial sense to get rid of Kemper Arena, which once was the city’s top venue for sporting events and concerts before the new Sprint Center was built downtown. These days, the arena sees little activity beyond events connected to the American Royal.

Among its more notable events over the years, Kemper was host to several NCAA basketball tournament regionals, and in 1988 hosted the Final Four, where Kansas beat Oklahoma. The arena also was home to the Kansas City Kings before the team left for Sacramento, Calif.