Roberts Stadium Advisory Board:"We should figure out how to involve USI in a new arena without being a detriment to UE."



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"We should figure out how to involve USI in a new arena without being a detriment to UE."

Those were the words written by Roberts Stadium Advisory Board Chairman Wayne Henning to then-mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel on May 19,2008. They can be found in the following link...

http://www.evansvillearenaproject.com/downloads/advisory_board_report.pdf

On page 4, Henning went on to write...

"Continue to explore expanded use by USI and other area groups."

USI was just one organization listed in the Roberts Stadium Advisory Boards 45 Facts. In August of last year, I talked about these facts and how some of them still apply today...

http://saverobertsstadium.blogspot.com/2011/08/3-years-later-facts-are-still-facts.html

Indeed, we have a golden opportunity to involve USI in a new arena without being a detriment to UE. It's called Roberts Stadium and this legendary icon is ready to do the task of carrying a NCAA Division II team up through the Division I ranks once more.
Rarely, if ever, does a Division II team have the opportunity to move into an arena that is already paid off, comes with 15 corporate luxury boxes, and has vacated all of its former tenants. USI will never have an opportunity like this again. Even better is the fact that Roberts Stadium would put the USI brand and image right in the middle of UE territory.

What makes moving USI into Roberts Stadium a no-brainer is the facts that the move hurts no one while helping both sides of town at the same time. How is this so?

- West side businesses will still reap the economic benefits of a USI game as motorists coming from Roberts Stadium to USI and vice versa will pass by their businesses.

- All business lost by Kipplee's, Turoni's, and Western Rib-Eye when the Aces moved will be recaptured by USI games.

- USI moving into Roberts Stadium will free up more time at PAC Arena for USI's other athletic teams.

- USI moving into Roberts Stadium will prevent the Eagles from having to spend tens of millions of dollars on a new arena or a renovation to PAC Arena. In turn, this money can be spent upgrading USI's other team facilities to Division I caliber.

For those who think this wouldn't be a good idea (I haven't met a person yet), what is your plan?

- Build USI a downtown arena? Can't, it would compete with the Ford Center.

- Move USI into the Ford Center? Can't, not enough open dates and the Ford Center is decked out in Aces attire.

- Build USI an arena on campus? Where would the funds come from? What TIF district would benefit from it?

- Renovate PAC? Why? How would you add corporate luxury boxes to a facility that is shaped like a traditional practice facility? Where would the funds come from and what TIF district would benefit?

Since day 1 of Roberts Stadium closing, we have been told that we need to look at this project with financial logic. Well, USI moving into Roberts Stadium is the only way USI can save tens of millions of dollars, it's the only way businesses around a USI arena can prosper, and it's the only way USI can instantly improve their brand image and awareness.

Saving Roberts Stadium by moving USI in. This is quite possibly the easiest decision the city of Evansville will ever have to make!