That's right! You have all read it the right way. The best thing about the Chiefs training camp coming to MWSU as far as students are concerned is the new parking lot planned for the area just behind the press box at Spratt Stadium where the current women's softball facilities are located. This is the parking lot students have cried out for, for so many years! If you have ever had to contend with the parking situation trying to get to a class at MWSU in a timely manner past 10 AM you can truly appreciate this post!
The new parking lot is estimated to handle a minimum of 500 vehicles according to Jeff Ellison, lead architect for the new MWSU athletic facility construction. Can you imagine, 500 new parking spaces close to the majority of campus classrooms? Students at MWSU have been complaining since the days of MWSC to have the administration approve of additional parking on campus. In the mid to late 1980's parking became the number one complaint and concern for students. Since that time little or nothing has been done about this situation for commuter students. For over twenty years Missouri Western's enrollment continues to rise in terms of commuter students yet there have not been any additional parking lots added to campus except the resident hall parking lot off of 51st street that is of no benefit to regularly commuting students.
Call me crazy, but in this blogger's opinion, the best thing other than the obvious economic impact the Chiefs training camp leaves behind will be the facilities and improved parking created for full-time students. This new parking lot will be looked forward to as much as the Chiefs training camp.
Scenes like this that have been happening for 18 years in River Falls, Wisconsin will soon be taking place at MWSU.Huge crowds are expected each day the Chiefs will train & practice on the main campus of MWSU in St. Joseph. Many are starting to ask what campus policy changes will be seen at MWSU to accomodate the Chiefs? This blog attempts to answer these questins.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lunch With MWSU Athletic Director Dave Williams and Architect Jeff Ellison, Part II
Meeting Dave Williams for the first time was a good experience. The still fairly new Athletic Director of MWSU is a very nice, well spoken, intelligent, and down-to-earth man. He was very receptive to questions about the Chiefs training camp or anything in general to do with MWSU athletics. He was enthusiastic and realistic at the same time in talking about the opportunities the Chiefs training camp has for not only MWSU but the entire community. Mr. Williams also wants to send a message that things for the Chiefs training camp are still in the very earliest of stages in terms of how specific operations will be when the Chiefs finally do start training here in 2010.
As of right now the drawings and renderings for the new construction shows preliminary placement locations of the new facilities that are currently planned. It is possible that the softball/baseball complex might be located in another area of campus close to the other athletic facilities. The approximate location for the indoor practice facility will remain on the west end of Spratt Stadium. Both Dave Williams and Jeff Ellison indicated that they are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible when choosing the sites.
Mr. Williams pointed out that there should not be any overlap of the Chiefs camp and the start of fall semester classes. However, there could be a possible one week overlap in the Chiefs camp and the start of Griffon football practice. Williams said, "If there is a week overlap with the start of our football practice our team will be giving up its locker room for one week and that is it. We could still practice around the Chiefs schedule no problem. There will be enough room for both of us."
On the issues of catering and alcohol policy Mr. Williams was clear and unclear. On the catering issue he was clear. He stated that the university catering service would still have exclusiveness to provide service to the Chiefs but the Chiefs can order whatever food and beverage they choose. The guess of this blogger is that the Chiefs will be having Aramark order from a higher end food purveyor than they normally do for MWSU. The alcohol policy is an unclear issue at this time. The NFL and breweries go hand-in-hand. Mr. Williams said that the current campus alcohol policy would be "under review" soon concerning the Chiefs three week stay on campus.
One of the best things about the indoor football facility will be the many ways it can be used during the football off-season. Mr. Williams elaborated about activities from youth baseball to intramural sports that could use the facility. "This isn't just going to be a building for the Chiefs or MWSU but the entire recreational community of St. Joseph" said Williams. Another good thing about this large building will be the fact that it will not cost students any extra but it will provide opportunities for students with new classrooms, computer labs, and comfortable, spacious, lecture halls.
My time with Mr. Williams was well spent. He was glad to hear that students are discussing the Chiefs camp. He informed me that he will probably be setting up some town hall style meetings in the near future for anyone to come and ask him any questions about the Chiefs camp or communicate any possible concerns. However, Mr. Williams said that would be when he had more answers than he does now.
James Richmond can be reached by e-mail at jrichmond1@missouriwestern.edu
As of right now the drawings and renderings for the new construction shows preliminary placement locations of the new facilities that are currently planned. It is possible that the softball/baseball complex might be located in another area of campus close to the other athletic facilities. The approximate location for the indoor practice facility will remain on the west end of Spratt Stadium. Both Dave Williams and Jeff Ellison indicated that they are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible when choosing the sites.
Mr. Williams pointed out that there should not be any overlap of the Chiefs camp and the start of fall semester classes. However, there could be a possible one week overlap in the Chiefs camp and the start of Griffon football practice. Williams said, "If there is a week overlap with the start of our football practice our team will be giving up its locker room for one week and that is it. We could still practice around the Chiefs schedule no problem. There will be enough room for both of us."
On the issues of catering and alcohol policy Mr. Williams was clear and unclear. On the catering issue he was clear. He stated that the university catering service would still have exclusiveness to provide service to the Chiefs but the Chiefs can order whatever food and beverage they choose. The guess of this blogger is that the Chiefs will be having Aramark order from a higher end food purveyor than they normally do for MWSU. The alcohol policy is an unclear issue at this time. The NFL and breweries go hand-in-hand. Mr. Williams said that the current campus alcohol policy would be "under review" soon concerning the Chiefs three week stay on campus.
One of the best things about the indoor football facility will be the many ways it can be used during the football off-season. Mr. Williams elaborated about activities from youth baseball to intramural sports that could use the facility. "This isn't just going to be a building for the Chiefs or MWSU but the entire recreational community of St. Joseph" said Williams. Another good thing about this large building will be the fact that it will not cost students any extra but it will provide opportunities for students with new classrooms, computer labs, and comfortable, spacious, lecture halls.
My time with Mr. Williams was well spent. He was glad to hear that students are discussing the Chiefs camp. He informed me that he will probably be setting up some town hall style meetings in the near future for anyone to come and ask him any questions about the Chiefs camp or communicate any possible concerns. However, Mr. Williams said that would be when he had more answers than he does now.
James Richmond can be reached by e-mail at jrichmond1@missouriwestern.edu
Lunch With MWSU Athletic Director Dave Williams and Architect Jeff Ellison, Part I
Thursday, February 5th, I went to cover the weekly St. Joseph Kiwanis Club lunch meeting as I have for the past 10 years. The club pays to have a weekly news bulletin printed for members unable to attend the regular Thursday meetings. The Kiwanis meetings follow a simple agenda format that focuses on recent club activities, recognizing community service efforts of members, voluntary donations to a fund that allows members to share something with other members they are feeling good about and then hearing a program presented by a speaker representing a local or area business, organization, or sometimes a school. The meeting on Feb. 5th featured Dave Williams, MWSU Athletic Director as the Kiwanis speaker for the day. Also in attendance was Jeff Ellison, a member of Kiwanis and lead architect for Ellison-Auxier Architectural Designs Inc. Jeff Ellison and his associate Ron Auxier have designed many MWSU buildings in the past and just received the contract for the proposed new athletic facilities needed to bring the Kansas City Chiefs training camp to MWSU. What a unique opportunity this was for anyone interested in the inner-workings of what is taking place to get the Chiefs training camp here by August of 2010. In the first part of this two-part post, I will cover the details concerning the financing needed to get the facilities constructed in order for MWSU to be the official new home of the Chiefs training camp. The second part of this post will cover some of the questions/rumors students are discussing with regard to how the Chiefs training camp will effect them after the Chiefs start holding training camp at MWSU.
Mr. Williams explained how the courtship between MWSU and the Chiefs had been going on for nearly seven years before finally coming to a formal agreement this past January. "What was once a dead issue when I arrived here this past summer literally came back to life with one phone call from State Senator Charlie Shields this past fall" stated Williams. Now that the majority of funding for the new facilities associated with bringing the Chiefs to MWSU is in place the task for Mr. Williams is to acquire the remaining funds needed to get the indoor football practice facility constructed. Williams states that the cost for the $25 million in bonds that are being generated as a tax credit for the Chiefs is still in negotiation as to who will cover it. The cost of the new indoor practice facility with coaches offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and future lecture halls is estimated to be approximately $14 million with the Chiefs currently committing to $10 million of that amount from their $25 million tax credit. Williams pointed out that the Chiefs investment in MWSU will benefit the university, students, and the community for years to come but he would like to see the Chiefs raise their commitment to hopefully cover the entire cost of the new indoor practice facility. "Right now we (MWSU) can't completely cover the $4-4.5 million gap in funds all alone. We can cover some of that amount but not all of it. We have a great start in terms of obtaining private donations and attempting to sell the naming rights for the new facility but I'm going to talk with the Chiefs about raising their level of commitment. I'm hopeful they will understand our position about being able to produce such a large sum of cash that quickly" said Williams.
Some Max Experience funds will be used for the new indoor facility but they will be nowhere near the amount needed to reach the $14 million needed to get it constructed by August of 2010. Another fact that came to light was the Chiefs requirement to spend $50 million improving Arrowhead Stadium and portions of the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City to get the $25 million in tax credits from the State of Missouri to help MWSU construct the new indoor facility. According to Jeff Ellison, "A lot of people don't understand that the Chiefs have to commit to spending $50 million on Arrowhead Stadium renovations before the state gives them a 50% matching tax credit to use toward bringing their training camp to Missouri Western." The Chiefs are spending a large sum of money on facilities that the public will utilize for a long time was the message Ellison wanted to convey which is an angle to the Chiefs training camp story that has not been widely reported on. "The Chiefs required spending in Kansas City on renovations and improvements is five to six times as much as it will be here. Hopefully, the local MWSU project can obtain a small amount of that funding to help us meet time tables and construction deadlines to get the Chiefs here by 2010" said Ellison.
Dave Williams and Jeff Ellison are both confident that the funding details will be worked out sooner than later between MWSU and the Chiefs. Both parties are looking forward to a bright future in their partnership. It appears that once all of the politics are finally put to bed in terms of getting some ground broken for construction, the real fun can begin.
Mr. Williams explained how the courtship between MWSU and the Chiefs had been going on for nearly seven years before finally coming to a formal agreement this past January. "What was once a dead issue when I arrived here this past summer literally came back to life with one phone call from State Senator Charlie Shields this past fall" stated Williams. Now that the majority of funding for the new facilities associated with bringing the Chiefs to MWSU is in place the task for Mr. Williams is to acquire the remaining funds needed to get the indoor football practice facility constructed. Williams states that the cost for the $25 million in bonds that are being generated as a tax credit for the Chiefs is still in negotiation as to who will cover it. The cost of the new indoor practice facility with coaches offices, locker rooms, meeting rooms, and future lecture halls is estimated to be approximately $14 million with the Chiefs currently committing to $10 million of that amount from their $25 million tax credit. Williams pointed out that the Chiefs investment in MWSU will benefit the university, students, and the community for years to come but he would like to see the Chiefs raise their commitment to hopefully cover the entire cost of the new indoor practice facility. "Right now we (MWSU) can't completely cover the $4-4.5 million gap in funds all alone. We can cover some of that amount but not all of it. We have a great start in terms of obtaining private donations and attempting to sell the naming rights for the new facility but I'm going to talk with the Chiefs about raising their level of commitment. I'm hopeful they will understand our position about being able to produce such a large sum of cash that quickly" said Williams.
Some Max Experience funds will be used for the new indoor facility but they will be nowhere near the amount needed to reach the $14 million needed to get it constructed by August of 2010. Another fact that came to light was the Chiefs requirement to spend $50 million improving Arrowhead Stadium and portions of the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City to get the $25 million in tax credits from the State of Missouri to help MWSU construct the new indoor facility. According to Jeff Ellison, "A lot of people don't understand that the Chiefs have to commit to spending $50 million on Arrowhead Stadium renovations before the state gives them a 50% matching tax credit to use toward bringing their training camp to Missouri Western." The Chiefs are spending a large sum of money on facilities that the public will utilize for a long time was the message Ellison wanted to convey which is an angle to the Chiefs training camp story that has not been widely reported on. "The Chiefs required spending in Kansas City on renovations and improvements is five to six times as much as it will be here. Hopefully, the local MWSU project can obtain a small amount of that funding to help us meet time tables and construction deadlines to get the Chiefs here by 2010" said Ellison.
Dave Williams and Jeff Ellison are both confident that the funding details will be worked out sooner than later between MWSU and the Chiefs. Both parties are looking forward to a bright future in their partnership. It appears that once all of the politics are finally put to bed in terms of getting some ground broken for construction, the real fun can begin.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
My Interview With The Griffon Yearbook
It was a nice surprise for me to receive a request for an interview this past week from Lauren Dillon, a member of The Griffon Yearbook staff, to discuss my thoughts about the Chiefs training camp & MWSU. I have not been the focus of an official media interview for over 10 years when I was president of the Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph discussing the club's operation of the beer garden at the Trails West Festival. However, I have mixed thoughts pertaining to the ultra-modern method Lauren chose to conduct the interview which was via e-mail. In my most humble opinion being in the media business for nearly 20 years I feel the personal touch is completely removed from the interviewing process using this method. E-mailing someone you wish to interview a message requesting the interview, then asking them to simply reply to a list of questions and e-mail them back before a deadline that just happens to be within just a few days was a professional first for me. No offense to Lauren. However, most short or long distance interviews can start with an e-mail request but the interview needs to be conducted at least over the phone so there can be some follow up information given to each question or concern by both parties.
Enough of my ranting about interviewing skills. On to the interview, which asked some of the questions I have vowed that this blog will try to answer for MWSU students. All of Lauren's questions will be in italic type with my responses in regular type.
When does construction begin?
According to a published report at missouriwestern.edu, MWSU hopes to break ground by June of 2009 for the indoor football practice facility.
Would construction have to be completed before the Chiefs come?
According to the report I referred to earlier, “the majority of the indoor practice facility would need to be completed by the summer of 2010 for the Chiefs to begin holding training camp at MWSU.” Unless there are circumstances that would prevent this, this does not appear to be an obstacle keeping the Chiefs from having their first camp at MWSU in July/August of 2010.
Specifically, how would bringing the Chiefs to Western benefit the St. Joseph community?
Tourism and cash flow will be the main benefits to the business community. Those who will be coming to watch practices will be spending at restaurants, hotels, gas stations, retail stores, and other local attractions. Word-of-mouth advertising is something that can’t be sold and has a value unlike any other marketing. Those who visit St. Joseph might be doing so for the first time and if they have a good time at an affordable price, those people will recommend to their friends that they should visit St. Joseph. This is a thing that could benefit the community all year long. Getting people on the campus of MWSU brings a great recruiting opportunity for the university. A lot of people who could be potential students or be parents of potential new students have never heard of Missouri Western. The athletic department will get a serious boost in recruiting better student athletes by having state-of-the-art facilities.
What is your opinion on bringing the Chiefs here?
I think it’s great the Chiefs are coming here. A lot of Chiefs season ticket holders are from St. Joseph and areas north of St. Joseph into Iowa and Nebraska. A lot of local area children who would not get many opportunities to attend regular Chiefs games can now come out to MWSU and get a close look at their favorite players, probably even get to visit with them from time to time and get the opportunity for photos with players who would be willing to do so. At regular season games security is so tight it is very difficult to get close to the field. Even in training camp the national media follows every NFL team. This means that St. Joseph, MO and MWSU will be getting a lot of mentions when the team is here. Lets just hope that there are not any reports of trouble with the players encountering fans away from campus in any negative ways. I can remember when the Chiefs had training camp at William Jewel in Liberty, MO. It was always a great atmosphere for families and passionate fans that just wanted to have a little clean fun. I think that is what is going to happen here.
How will this affect Western students, in any positive or negative way?
The positives include better athletic facilities, new classrooms, and a better workout facility for all students. A huge new parking lot is coming that MWSU students have needed for years! I’m expecting catering services to be greatly improved and some policies for catering exclusiveness to be amended. These facilities are being constructed without any additional costs to MWSU students who surcharged themselves to create the Max Experience. The new baseball stadium was coming anyway due to Max Experience funds but is now coming much sooner due to the Chiefs investment to speed up the building of the indoor football facility that would have consumed much of the Max Experience funds meaning the new baseball stadium would’ve been several more years down the road than it will be now. Students can now support Griffon baseball easier than trying or not trying at all to find Phil Welch Stadium. MWSU has long been criticized for not being a school with a lot of campus life. Keeping more sports teams playing on campus creates more of a traditional campus atmosphere and brings more of the community to campus.
Will student fees increase to pay for the construction?
Student fees from the Max Experience were going specifically for the specific improvements the Chiefs require to bring their training camp to MWSU but it was a slow process of obtaining the funds from semester to semester. With the Chiefs investment in the football-oriented facilities more Max Experience funds can now go to the new baseball stadium and new women’s softball stadium not to mention speed up the time frame for their construction.
During the time period the Chiefs are here, would it be affecting the school’s sports practices?
I can’t imagine how it really would. Their presence could delay the start of football practices for MWSU. If that is the case it would not probably be for long.
How much is the construction going to cost the school overall?
According to the numerous published reports MWSU must bring at least $3-$3.5 million dollars to the table for it’s share of the construction cost of the indoor practice facility. I am not sure if that is going to be the final number. I would ask the athletic director for that figure.
Is the state helping to pay for the new buildings at all?
I am not sure. That would also be a question for the athletic director.
What were the reasons that the Chiefs chose Western?
MWSU, The City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, and local politicians worked together to sell the Chiefs on St. Joseph & MWSU for the past several years. MWSU is close enough to KC to attract fans and generate interest in the team yet far enough away to have players focus primarily on playing football. The Chiefs have always said (under previous management) that the hot, humid weather in Missouri is the reason they went to Wisconsin. However if they had a climate controlled practice facility they would entertain offers to bring their camp back to the KC area. St. Joseph was aggressive in luring the Chiefs here and found a way to get a financing package created that would benefit them and MWSU. For the Chiefs they can pay $10 million in taxes to the state or take that same money, donate it to a state university for the construction of an indoor practice facility, bring their training camp back to Chiefs country, and leave a lasting positive effect in an area where they have many paying customers a.k.a. season ticket holders.
What new buildings/facilities are being built during construction?
The new indoor football practice facility will provide MWSU football with new coaches offices, locker rooms, and film meeting rooms that can be used for classes in the off season. There will also be a couple of new large lecture hall/classrooms for the university in this new facility. The biggest thing students will benefit from is the new parking lot that will be constructed where the current women’s softball facilities are behind the press box of Spratt Stadium. Students have been crying for additional parking since the mid to late 1980’s.
James Richmond can be reached via e-mail at jrichmond1@missouriwestern.edu
Enough of my ranting about interviewing skills. On to the interview, which asked some of the questions I have vowed that this blog will try to answer for MWSU students. All of Lauren's questions will be in italic type with my responses in regular type.
When does construction begin?
According to a published report at missouriwestern.edu, MWSU hopes to break ground by June of 2009 for the indoor football practice facility.
Would construction have to be completed before the Chiefs come?
According to the report I referred to earlier, “the majority of the indoor practice facility would need to be completed by the summer of 2010 for the Chiefs to begin holding training camp at MWSU.” Unless there are circumstances that would prevent this, this does not appear to be an obstacle keeping the Chiefs from having their first camp at MWSU in July/August of 2010.
Specifically, how would bringing the Chiefs to Western benefit the St. Joseph community?
Tourism and cash flow will be the main benefits to the business community. Those who will be coming to watch practices will be spending at restaurants, hotels, gas stations, retail stores, and other local attractions. Word-of-mouth advertising is something that can’t be sold and has a value unlike any other marketing. Those who visit St. Joseph might be doing so for the first time and if they have a good time at an affordable price, those people will recommend to their friends that they should visit St. Joseph. This is a thing that could benefit the community all year long. Getting people on the campus of MWSU brings a great recruiting opportunity for the university. A lot of people who could be potential students or be parents of potential new students have never heard of Missouri Western. The athletic department will get a serious boost in recruiting better student athletes by having state-of-the-art facilities.
What is your opinion on bringing the Chiefs here?
I think it’s great the Chiefs are coming here. A lot of Chiefs season ticket holders are from St. Joseph and areas north of St. Joseph into Iowa and Nebraska. A lot of local area children who would not get many opportunities to attend regular Chiefs games can now come out to MWSU and get a close look at their favorite players, probably even get to visit with them from time to time and get the opportunity for photos with players who would be willing to do so. At regular season games security is so tight it is very difficult to get close to the field. Even in training camp the national media follows every NFL team. This means that St. Joseph, MO and MWSU will be getting a lot of mentions when the team is here. Lets just hope that there are not any reports of trouble with the players encountering fans away from campus in any negative ways. I can remember when the Chiefs had training camp at William Jewel in Liberty, MO. It was always a great atmosphere for families and passionate fans that just wanted to have a little clean fun. I think that is what is going to happen here.
How will this affect Western students, in any positive or negative way?
The positives include better athletic facilities, new classrooms, and a better workout facility for all students. A huge new parking lot is coming that MWSU students have needed for years! I’m expecting catering services to be greatly improved and some policies for catering exclusiveness to be amended. These facilities are being constructed without any additional costs to MWSU students who surcharged themselves to create the Max Experience. The new baseball stadium was coming anyway due to Max Experience funds but is now coming much sooner due to the Chiefs investment to speed up the building of the indoor football facility that would have consumed much of the Max Experience funds meaning the new baseball stadium would’ve been several more years down the road than it will be now. Students can now support Griffon baseball easier than trying or not trying at all to find Phil Welch Stadium. MWSU has long been criticized for not being a school with a lot of campus life. Keeping more sports teams playing on campus creates more of a traditional campus atmosphere and brings more of the community to campus.
Will student fees increase to pay for the construction?
Student fees from the Max Experience were going specifically for the specific improvements the Chiefs require to bring their training camp to MWSU but it was a slow process of obtaining the funds from semester to semester. With the Chiefs investment in the football-oriented facilities more Max Experience funds can now go to the new baseball stadium and new women’s softball stadium not to mention speed up the time frame for their construction.
During the time period the Chiefs are here, would it be affecting the school’s sports practices?
I can’t imagine how it really would. Their presence could delay the start of football practices for MWSU. If that is the case it would not probably be for long.
How much is the construction going to cost the school overall?
According to the numerous published reports MWSU must bring at least $3-$3.5 million dollars to the table for it’s share of the construction cost of the indoor practice facility. I am not sure if that is going to be the final number. I would ask the athletic director for that figure.
Is the state helping to pay for the new buildings at all?
I am not sure. That would also be a question for the athletic director.
What were the reasons that the Chiefs chose Western?
MWSU, The City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, and local politicians worked together to sell the Chiefs on St. Joseph & MWSU for the past several years. MWSU is close enough to KC to attract fans and generate interest in the team yet far enough away to have players focus primarily on playing football. The Chiefs have always said (under previous management) that the hot, humid weather in Missouri is the reason they went to Wisconsin. However if they had a climate controlled practice facility they would entertain offers to bring their camp back to the KC area. St. Joseph was aggressive in luring the Chiefs here and found a way to get a financing package created that would benefit them and MWSU. For the Chiefs they can pay $10 million in taxes to the state or take that same money, donate it to a state university for the construction of an indoor practice facility, bring their training camp back to Chiefs country, and leave a lasting positive effect in an area where they have many paying customers a.k.a. season ticket holders.
What new buildings/facilities are being built during construction?
The new indoor football practice facility will provide MWSU football with new coaches offices, locker rooms, and film meeting rooms that can be used for classes in the off season. There will also be a couple of new large lecture hall/classrooms for the university in this new facility. The biggest thing students will benefit from is the new parking lot that will be constructed where the current women’s softball facilities are behind the press box of Spratt Stadium. Students have been crying for additional parking since the mid to late 1980’s.
James Richmond can be reached via e-mail at jrichmond1@missouriwestern.edu
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
