O'Reilly groundbreaking May 15
Last minute student concerns given voice
Matthew Frierdich
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Life
Since the April 14 announcement that construction would begin, the O'Reilly Family Event Center has gotten mixed reviews from Drury students.
With an approximate cost of $13.5 million, with $10.5 million paid in construction cost alone, the facilities should be ready for use in the fall of 2010.
According to Todd Parnell, Drury president, the price was very competitive, and the hard economic times actually ended up working in the project's favor.
The arena will seat 3100 in the stadium seating, and there is room on the floor of the court for an additional 500 seats to be set up.
With the groundbreaking ceremony, taking place on May 15, students realize that the O'Reilly Center is in the near future. While most students support it, there is still some concern.
Audrey Davis, sophomore, believes that the new O'Reilly Center will add character to the Drury campus and that the new event center will draw more community members together in a comfortable environment for Drury events.
"It will be nice to have air conditioning in our gym, especially for graduation," Davis said.
But, Davis also expressed that she was a little skeptical because she was unsure how much non-student-athletes would benefit from the new fitness equipment and facilities. Davis stated that she wished that the amount of money raised for the O'Reilly Center could have been spent on scholarships for students.
Many students were dubious of Drury's priorities with regard to constructing a new sports arena.
Alexa Poindexter, sophomore, said that while the O'Reilly Center is not something that is needed at Drury, it has been something that people have devoted a lot of time pursuing.
"I don't think the campus needs (the new event center)," Poindexter said. "It's not what I want, but I know that other people have worked hard for it."
Poindexter pointed out that Drury should be investing time and effort into other pursuits.
"I hope (the university) doesn't forget that (our campus) needs other things, like a women's resource center," Poindexter said.
With an approximate cost of $13.5 million, with $10.5 million paid in construction cost alone, the facilities should be ready for use in the fall of 2010.
According to Todd Parnell, Drury president, the price was very competitive, and the hard economic times actually ended up working in the project's favor.
The arena will seat 3100 in the stadium seating, and there is room on the floor of the court for an additional 500 seats to be set up.
With the groundbreaking ceremony, taking place on May 15, students realize that the O'Reilly Center is in the near future. While most students support it, there is still some concern.
Audrey Davis, sophomore, believes that the new O'Reilly Center will add character to the Drury campus and that the new event center will draw more community members together in a comfortable environment for Drury events.
"It will be nice to have air conditioning in our gym, especially for graduation," Davis said.
But, Davis also expressed that she was a little skeptical because she was unsure how much non-student-athletes would benefit from the new fitness equipment and facilities. Davis stated that she wished that the amount of money raised for the O'Reilly Center could have been spent on scholarships for students.
Many students were dubious of Drury's priorities with regard to constructing a new sports arena.
Alexa Poindexter, sophomore, said that while the O'Reilly Center is not something that is needed at Drury, it has been something that people have devoted a lot of time pursuing.
"I don't think the campus needs (the new event center)," Poindexter said. "It's not what I want, but I know that other people have worked hard for it."
Poindexter pointed out that Drury should be investing time and effort into other pursuits.
"I hope (the university) doesn't forget that (our campus) needs other things, like a women's resource center," Poindexter said.
Article last update: 5/5/09 at 7:34 PM CST
Be the first to comment on this story