The campaign of champions is almost 17 percent complete.
During a faculty and staff open forum at Dickinson State University Tuesday afternoon, outgoing DSU President Dr. Lee Vickers reported the fundraising campaign for the Badlands Activities Center has reached $2.5 million.
The total cost of the project is approximately $15 million. The Badlands Activities Center is the project proposed to replace and revamp DSU's existing Whitney Stadium.
Along with a football field and track, including seating for 4,000 attendees, the center would provide space for community events like concerts and receptions.
"One of the things that surprised me is I was dead wrong," Vickers said.
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Vickers admitted to being skeptical the skyboxes for the Badlands Activities Center would sell in this community. He reported to the faculty, however, all nine skyboxes have already been sold. He said not only have they been sold, but people are upset there are not more to be purchased.
Vickers said one question he has fielded a lot lately is when the university breaks ground on the project. He would like it to be soon, but the university has to have money saved in the bank before the project starts.
Vickers emphasized the project is bigger than the universities and the public schools, for which the center would provide a venue for sports activities.
"This is a quality of place issue for the entire region," Vickers said.
Vickers said now that the North Dakota Board of Higher Education approved the request to raise the costs from $8 million to $16 million, he or Alvin Binstock, vice president for business affairs, will approach the state Legislature Budget Section.
Vickers also reported to the faculty the state board approved the joint powers agreement between the university and other public entities.
The joint powers agreement includes the higher ed board, DSU, the city of Dickinson, Dickinson Parks and Recreation and the Dickinson Public School District. Stark County also approved a resolution supporting the center, but opted to draft its own joint powers agreement with the university.
During the open forum Tuesday afternoon, no member of the faculty or staff commented on or asked a question about the proposed activities center.
