Wichita ? The National Institute for Aviation Research will use an arena at the former Kansas Coliseum complex to take on more full-scale structural testing for clients.

The Wichita Eagle reported that NIAR hopes to be in Britt Brown Arena by the end of this year and will conduct testing for commercial and military clients. Lease details are being worked out.

Executive director John Tomblin says that if all goes as planned, about 70 employees would work at Britt Brown initially. Employment would rise to about 80 after the first year.

He estimated that about 30 percent of the staff would be new hires. They would earn an average salary of $50,000 to $70,000 a year.