Butts-Mehre set to expand
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Waymark Code: WM76B6
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 09/08/2009
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Butts-Mehre set to expand
Football facilities project, to begin in July, will cost about $40 million
By Marc Weiszer | marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 12:22 am on 5/22/2009
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GREENSBORO - The expansion and renovation of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall is slated to begin July 1 after the University of Georgia Athletic Association's board Thursday approved nearly $40 million to improve facilities used by the football program.
"I think what we are about to do is a very strong statement in support of our No. 1 revenue program," UGA President Michael Adams told the executive committee at the board's spring meeting at the Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation.
The project is estimated to cost $39.5 million. It is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months, which means it could be finished as early as January 2011.
The move comes during an economic downturn that the Athletic Association has been able to weather but hasn't been completely immune to.
The Hartman Fund - made up of football ticket priority revenue - dipped from $26.5 million last year to $23.5 million this year - near 2007 levels - making it "softer than it's been in my time here," Adams said. "That's a signal to me of what's going on out there in the world."
Georgia already has pledges and gifts worth $19.2 million for the Butts-Mehre project, including a substantial contribution from one donor, Athletic Director Damon Evans said. The money is expected to come in during the next 10 years.
"I indicated to Coach (Mark) Richt and Damon my support of this as long as we raise 50 percent of the funding," Adams said.
The Athletic Association will use $20 million from its reserve funds to start construction. That revenue will be repaid in the next 10 years as private pledges come in. The other $20 million would be borrowed during the next 20 years.
"We've got to still move forward as an entity. We've still got to position ourselves to have success in the future," Evans said. "I want people to know because we've been fiscally prudent and conservative over the past 10-11 years, it's gotten us into a position where we can move forward right now."
The changes for the building dedicated in spring 1987 include 53,000 square feet of new construction and an additional 23,000 square feet of renovations.
"I believe that it's needed and it will allow us to continue to excel at a competitive level and keep up with our peers," Evans said. "When you take a look around this conference and see what Florida has done in their expansion, you see what LSU has done, you can look at what Alabama has done and some other schools. Now, this puts us back at least on par. I don't say we're below and maybe in some instances we jump ahead."
On deck: A new 12,000-square-foot strength and conditioning area, a training room of 8,500 square feet, new football coaches' offices and a multipurpose room with a turf field that will be used for football team drills and walk-throughs and converted for receptions and other hosting functions.
Richt made the Butts-Mehre project a higher priority than a new indoor practice facility.
"I had to decide as a head coach what is most important," he said this spring.
Now improvements for other Georgia athletic programs will take precedence, Adams said.
"A lot of things now move ahead of the indoor practice facility," Adams said. "There are a bunch of other sports standing out there."
Adams mentioned that enhancements that benefit fans and facility improvements for the basketball program will move ahead of an indoor facility.
The athletic board Thursday also approved an $84.8 million budget for fiscal year 2010, an increase of 11.7 percent. The operating expenses are $71.3 million, up 12.2 percent.
Georgia still anticipates adding $3.2 million in unallocated funds from the 2009 fiscal year to give it close to $40 million in projected reserves.
The school will get an additional financial infusion of about $5.5 million from the SEC's new television deal next year. Officials expect that will increase about $400,000 each year during the next 15 years.
"All in all, a very good posture," said Tim Burgess, UGA senior vice president for finance and administration. "We're in great shape. If only the university was in this good a shape, we'd be fine."
Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, May 22, 2009
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another atricle can be found here:
(http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2008/08/07/Athenscape/ButtsMehre.Keeper.Of.Gridiron.History-3395795.shtml)
Type of publication: Newspaper
When was the article reported?: 05/22/2009
Publication: Athens Banner Herald
Article Url: [Web Link]
Is Registration Required?: no
How widespread was the article reported?: regional
News Category: Sports
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