WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The City of Wichita is taking a look at making an investment into the community in District 1 through Summer fun and youth sports. On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council will consider reallocating $73,450 from the sale of the Hyatt Regency and putting it toward “enhancing equitable access to youth recreational activities in District 1.”
$24,000 would fund free swim days at McAfee Pool. Free swim days would take place on all eleven Saturdays during the 2025 pool season and five alternating Saturdays in the 2026 season. Free swimming would be available to all kids 17 and under.
$49,450 would go toward providing 430 youth football scholarships in the city. Those scholarships would cover kids’ registration fees ($55) and their uniforms ($65). Additionally, each child that receives a scholarship would be required to pay a $25 non-refundable reservation fee that would go toward renting equipment from Play It Again Sports. Participants will also be allowed to return or exchange their equipment at the end of the season. Scholarships would be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
While people agree the scholarships will help families pay for their kids to play football, not everyone is sold on the long-term sustainability of the program.
“At first glance, when you look at it, it’s really a good thing,” said Uylesses Deshazer, director of the Wichita Golden Bulldogs football team. “Some of the concerns is, is this a Band-Aid? Is this a one-time deal? It sounds good, how we gonna continue it goin’ down the line?”
Deshazer fears the cost of youth football will persist after the 2025 season. “Are other kids going to be able to afford the price after it’s no longer free?” said Deshazer. “Traditionally we don’t believe in getting anything for free, we believe in going to work for it. And so this is taking away the work ethic. And then is it going to be sustained over the years.”
District 1 City Councilman Brandon Johnson said the City of Wichita is working on a long-term solution to continue providing football scholarships, but right now he’s focused on getting more kids involved in football this year.
“I’m hopeful that his reduces the young people we see on corners running out into traffic to get money to pay for these things,” said Johnson. “If we can take care of that and keep our kids safe I think that’s one of the more important things to do.”
The Wichita City Council will vote on the funding reallocation for football scholarships and free swim days at McAfee Pool Tuesday, May 6th at 9:00 a.m.
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
