No money for Rupp renovations

[LAcat]

Maybe this is old news, but just received this email alert from UKAA today. The way I read it, there are no funds available to upgrade Rupp at this time. I thought this was already a done deal.


LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 12, 2011) — Statement from University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and UK Men's Basketball Coach John Calipari:

“In what remains a challenging economy, we must be unified as a campus community about our priorities as we seek private support and finite state dollars to help fund our dreams for the University and for the Commonwealth. To that end, our Board of Trustees, our faculty and staff, and our students have spoken with a clear and unequivocal voice: Our primary focus should – and must -- be the construction and renovation of facilities and living and learning spaces so that we can revitalize the core of our campus and, in particular, further strengthen the undergraduate education we provide. Targeted investments in athletics facilities will be part of that equation as we continue to improve our competitive position across all sports. We also will further utilize this powerful brand to recruit and retain Kentucky’s best students.

We cannot at this time and in this economy support initiatives – such as infrastructure proposals being made relative to Rupp Arena -- that compete with pressing on-campus priorities for scarce state operating dollars and capital construction funds. We have communicated with Mayor Gray about this issue. He understands our perspective and has graciously engaged with us in ongoing, productive dialogue. We have pledged to continue to be an active partner in this process as the health and vibrancy of UK and Lexington are inextricably linked. We are fortunate to be in such a terrific and historic venue for college basketball and we are committed to our long-term future there.”

[surveyor]

I'm not sure there's a need for UK dollars in renovating a city owned facility.
UK can certainly assist in whatever way they can toward raising funds, but the dollars needed for renovations can come from other entities than the university.

[colonelcatfan]

Cal has talked about this in his last two monday night radio shows. He says the campus needs renovation, BADLY and that the money should be spent there. I know this is the politically correct thing to say, but he's right. A agree that there is probably no need for dollars from UK for this renovation of Rupp.

[LAcat]

Cal has talked about this in his last two monday night radio shows. He says the campus needs renovation, BADLY and that the money should be spent there. I know this is the politically correct thing to say, but he's right. A agree that there is probably no need for dollars from UK for this renovation of Rupp.

Thanks. The University of Kentucky will be a great school when it's finally finished!

[Dwight Schrute]

My coworker posited earlier, and I think this is a very plausible idea, that Capiluto is positioning the University to argue that they should have their own bonding authority, and he's intentionally creating conflict here.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Cal has talked about this in his last two monday night radio shows. He says the campus needs renovation, BADLY and that the money should be spent there. I know this is the politically correct thing to say, but he's right. A agree that there is probably no need for dollars from UK for this renovation of Rupp.

I have to agree.some of the dorms on campus are down right disgusting..have not been updated in over 30 years

[RP_McMurphy]

Outsourcing of housing to private companies to save money. The DOD has been doing this for years. Private Companies build new housing and then use Servicemembers housing allotments to pay for the construction costs. UK could do the same for student housing aka using student fees to build and maintain housing.

[capcat]

Outsourcing of housing to private companies to save money. The DOD has been doing this for years. Private Companies build new housing and then use Servicemembers housing allotments to pay for the construction costs. UK could do the same for student housing aka using student fees to build and maintain housing.
That's already the proposal at UK, isn't it? From what's been printed about this proposal, the plan would be to begin implementation in 5 years.

[bly]

Cal on Rupp!


"Have you ever been in the upper deck with 12 inches of room to sit when your butt is 18 inches? It's a tough seat up there."