Recently there has been a large amount of discussion about the proposed improvements to Simpson Field and the action taken by the Student Senate Finance Commission. As a member of the Finance Commission and the student body vice president, I think it is important that everyone understand the situation completely.
Athletics came to the Finance Commission in October with a request for $105,000 in segregated fees for athletic facilities improvements. Over the past six years, students have been paying roughly $100,000 a year for renovations to our current football field at Carson Park. The last payment was made this year, and although UW-Eau Claire students do not have to pay any longer for the renovation, the university can use Carson Park for an additional four years based on the lease it holds with the City of Eau Claire.
The entire total of $105,000 is not going to the development of an improved football stadium at Simpson Field. Improvement projects, such as the resurfacing of the basketball and tennis courts on upper campus, are proposed to be completed with this money as well. The remaining funds would be used to purchase aluminum bleachers that could allow football to be played on Simpson Field next season.
Personally, I do not think this is the best choice for athletics. I would rather see the Blugolds play the remaining term of their lease at Carson Park. Also, I believe that the remaining funds should be used to complete a thorough study of the different possibilities for improvements to Simpson Field. Furthermore, ideas for outside funding sources must be found.
I can promise you that a $4 to 5 million stadium will not be funded entirely with student money. With students already footing the bill for the Davies Expansion, which is just around the corner, I think students cannot and should not have to completely fund the stadium. If there is one thing I have learned this year, it is that this university’s Alumni Association and Foundation can raise a lot of money. I believe that if they were to contact alumni about the funding of improvements to Simpson Field, there would be a positive response.
To complete and review this study, I suggest the formation of a committee to look into the feasibility of the Simpson Field project. The committee would be made up of the athletic director, Blugold football coach, a football player, one faculty member chosen by University Senate, one Foundation member at large and two students chosen by Student Senate. This committee would report to Vice Chancellor Andy Soll, and if it determined that a renovation project would be practical, it would develop a plan to renovate Simpson Field. This committee is essential to ensure that student voices be heard throughout the process and that student money is spent responsibly. Once this process begins, we cannot back out, so a complete and exhaustive study should be done to protect and represent student interests.
Lastly, I believe that if and when a plan is created, the collective student body of Eau Claire should be asked if it supports funding the project. This will not happen during my term as vice president, but I challenge the future leaders of Student Senate to be sure to ask our bosses, the students, if we should spend their money on this project.
This is only my proposal though and does not represent the Student Senate as a whole. Input and suggestions are appreciated. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or call the Student Senate office at (715) 836-4646.
