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Officials from Chadron State and Peru State colleges made their pitch to the Unicameral's Appropriations Committee Tuesday for funding to expand and renovate the nearly 50-year old Armstrong gym complex in Chadron and the 112-year old Oak Bowl football stadium in Peru.
State Senator John Harms of Scottsbluff is co-sponsoring with committee chairman Lavonn Heidemann LB-1019, which has $13.7-million dollars for a $15-million dollar Chadron State Events Center encompassing the Armstrong Gym and $8.6-million of the $14-million needed for the Oak Bowl.
Among those testifying were Nebraska State College System Chancellor Dr Stan Carpenter, Chadron State President Dr Janie Park, and Chadron State athletic director Brad Smith. Smith came away very optimistic about the chances of getting the money.
Senator Harms was the first to testify, and told his fellow senators that both facilities have numerous physical problems....some of which pose safety risks for athletes and fans....and simply don't meet the needs of the Chadron State and Peru State athletic programs.
Harms pointed out that the CSC basketball and volleyball teams routinely share locker rooms with their opponents because there are no other choices.
He said the building's walls are cracking, there's no air conditioning except for small window units in some offices, the bleachers are growing increasingly unsturdy, and the weight room is dangerously overcrowded.
Harms called both the Armstrong Gym and the Oak Bowl "embarrassing to this great state," and said both Chadron State and Peru State need "state-of-the-art facilities...to attract the students of the future."
Dr Park reminded the senators that the Armstrong Gym is the largest gathering space with full seating on campus, so it houses the graduation ceremonies....but isn't large enough for the audience, which requires the use of video hookups to the Student Center for overflow crowds.
No one testified against funding for the projects, but they are competing for money against a $90-million dollar request from the University of Nebraska for 4 major construction projects and the governor's proposed $326-million tax cut.
Smith says Senator Harms shared their optimism afterwards, but couldn't give the state college delegation much guidance on when the committee will act on the funding request. All in all, Smith left Lincoln very hopeful.
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