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April 1, 2008

URI risks loss of state money for athletics center

By MIKE SZOSTAK
Journal Sports Writer

State funding for the proposed Student Athlete Development Center at the University of Rhode Island is in jeopardy as a result of looming budget deficits.

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to rescind authorization of a $7.2-million appropriation to URI for construction of the SADC, a critical component in the plan to upgrade athletics facilities on the Kingston campus and the focus of active fundraising the last several years. The SADC, if built, will feature a new weight room for varsity athletes, improved treatment space for the athletic training staff, and academic space for athletes to study. The proposed site is at the rear of the Keaney-Tootell complex.

The Finance Committee will also consider withdrawing funds allocated for a parking garage at the J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence.

House spokesman Larry Berman said yesterday that the Finance Committee wants to hear from URI officials on the status of the project before restructuring the arrangement in light of any changes.

“They don’t want to pull the rug out from under them,” Berman said.

The SADC has been on URI’s wish list going back to the term of athletics director Ron Petro. Tom McElroy shepherded the project during his brief tenure, Gregg Burke guided it along during his year as interim director, and Thorr Bjorn picked up the torch when he arrived on campus last summer. The SADC is part of a $10-million athletics initiative in the $100-million Making a Difference capital campaign. A Student Wellness Center for the general population to work out is part of a $20-million cut for facilities.

The SADC went before the public in 2004, but Rhode Island voters rejected a bond referendum. Two years later Gov. Carcieri included $5.4 million in his budget proposal to match an amount to be raised by the university. The General Assembly authorized $7.2 million from the Fiscal Year 2009 budget with URI to repay the state over 20 years. The deficits projected for this fiscal year, ending in June, and next fiscal year, starting July 1, make such an authorization tenuous now.

URI has received $1.3 million in contributions and pledges for the SADC, Kevin McGinniss, director of athletic development, said yesterday. About $1 million has come in the last six months, he said, since the arrival of Bjorn as director of athletics. The working goal for this drive is $3.5 million.

A delay in building the SADC would probably delay other capital projects on the drawing board such as a new east grandstand, artificial turf field and lights for Meade Stadium, an outdoor track and a press box for soccer. A $1-million gift from an anonymous donor to the baseball program will allow work on Bill Beck Field to begin after the season.

The State of Rhode Island contributes only 14 percent of URI’s operating budget, down from 24 percent in 1997.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:08 AM to URI Basketball | Permalink

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