It's amazing how many FSU fans are eager for the football team to have an indoor practice facility. First, so players don't miss valuable practice time on rainy days in the early part of the season. Second, it's an expectation and a recruiting tool for top level programs. And, hey, the competition have 'em (UNC and Clemson, for example).
So we checked in again with Jerry Kutz, V.P. of Marketing for Seminole Boosters, for a forecast of when the Noles will have an indoor home of their own. Here's part one of that interview:
Jerry, when can FSU realistically expect an indoor practice facility?
Kutz: "It's a priority for Jimbo and something he definitely wants. We're optimistic that we're going to get it done. We've presented plans for the facility to several people. And we've had some donors who can make million dollar-type gifts -- that is, if we build it, they'll pledge it. But we're going to have to find a ten million dollar lead gift to kick it off. Or several five million dollar lead gifts. So it's just a matter of a couple of people stepping up. But we're definitely asking them. And Jimbo is actively involved in the fund raising. Of course, we're doing all this in the teeth of a horrible economy.
"Now, a project like this is enormously expensive. Plus, it doesn't generate any revenue to help pay for itself. Like when we built the stadium, the ticket revenue pays the cost of the bond issue. So it's a revenue producing facility. Skyboxes are the same way. You get a bond issue and then you go sign long-term leases that pay for the bond issue."
Will it help to retire current obligations like the payout to Jeff Bowden?
Continue reading "The Boosters' message to fans about an indoor practice facility: Be patient" »
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