A 73-year Salina landmark is gone. Kansas Wesleyan University’s historic Glenn Martin Stadium has been torn down.

Because of its condition, Glenn Martin Stadium has not been utilized for KWU games since 2007. The stadium, which opened back in 1940, is being demolished to make way for a new sports complex.

Demolition began on January 9th. The most visible progress, though, came late last week when the bulk of the structure, including the grandstands, came tumbling down. 

The demolition is part of the first phase of the Sports Complex project. The first phase 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 will include the grandstand-construction, which 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.