Stadium/Spectrum Bond plans to be made
The Utah State University Board of Trustees will make a proposal for the future of the Stadium/Spectrum Bond this week and the plans will involve improvements to athletic facilities.
According to the Stadium/Spectrum Bond covenants, money from the bond must be used for athletic facilities. Proposals for the money generated by the bond had included possible improvements to the Taggart Student Center. However, based on the new information discovered in the covenants, Romney Stadium and the Fieldhouse are the two facilities eligible to receive money.
“There are only a few options,” said Associated Students of USU Executive Vice President Ariel Thrapp.
After meeting with USU administrators, Thrapp said, the decision was made that now is the time to capture low-interest rates for the bond. The Board of Trustees will approve a proposal during a conference call on Wednesday and the process will then go to the state Legislature.
“What we did find out was that there were certain parameters that we have to meet [with the bond,]” said Vice President of Student Services Juan Franco. “It was very clear from the beginning that we wanted to do what we could within those parameters to provide for the students.”
Franco said student needs will be considered for the use of the money, which comes from a $28.50 portion of student fees each semester, but there are also some health and safety issues that need to be addressed with the stadium.
“They’re worried that if we were to have an earthquake or anything, then part of the stadium would be affected,” Franco said.
Other areas of the stadium must be improved for the structure to meet ADA requirements, like installing an elevator.
Some of the improvements will carry a higher cost than others, Franco said.
Academic Vice President Karla Petty asked Franco if there were any specific improvements planned for the stadium with students in mind. Franco said he didn’t have all of the details at the time.
“What we’d like to do is work on the south end of the stadium as much as possible where students come in,” Franco said.
Franco said improvements were being looked at for restrooms in the stadium and one of the plans called for the installation of artificial turf that would allow the marching band and intramural sports to use the stadium.
Exact figures were not available for the improvements, Franco said, but the artificial turf would cost about $800,000 and possible improvements to the Fieldhouse would cost about $400,000.
Election information
Public Relations Vice President Ashley Stolworthy said election packets are available for next year’s ASUSU officers. The packets can be picked up in TSC, Room 326.
Fliers will be displayed around campus starting Wednesday with the campaign “Be Herd,” encouraging individuals to run for ASUSU office, Stolworthy said.
Backpack check successful
Since the start of classes this semester, ASUSU has been running a backpack check in front of the USU Bookstore. Student Advocate Vice President Les Essig said the response to the service has been tremendous.
He said more than 750 backpacks have been checked in since the service started on Monday. The service, staffed by ASUSU officers and members of the ROTC is available to give students an option for their backpacks other than putting them on a less-secure rack.
-str@cc.usu.edu
Juan Franco, Student Services vice president, explains the covenants of the Stadium/Spectrum bond which limit use of the funds to athletic facilities on campus. (Photo by John Zsiray)