Dispute Over the DakotaDome
Local News
by
Melissa Payne
last edited on
Sunday, February 07, 2010
The DakotaDome is home to the USD Coyotes, and the Vermillion Tanager's, but that could be changing.
The Dome is in the middle of a tug of war between the two schools, and money is at stake.
The Vermillion Tanagers have been kicking field goals and throwing touchdown passes in the DakotaDome for 30 years, but the Dome debate is heating up, and the Tanagers may have to find a new field to call home.
"It’s a privilege to play in the Dome, it's really fun, and I guess you could say it's a home field advantage,” says Matthew Morse, a former Tanager football player.
According to USD officials, more than $8 million of renovations are needed.
USD is asking the Vermillion School District to help pick up the tab.
"Given the type of the facility, it is their home field as well, it's fair to ask them to contribute to the cost of the facility," says Rich Van Den Hul, VP of Finance at USD.
Under a past agreement, the school district paid for new turf and $15,000 every year.
Now USD is asking the school to pay between $1-2 million dollars, spread out over 15 years.
The Vermillion School District says it's a high price to pay, in order to play.
The DakotaDome is an icon to the city and the university.
Players, fans, and community members all hope the Tanagers will always be able to call the Dome “home.”
"It'll be a big loss, I mean, they will have to go out to playing outdoors, and right now the outdoor facility is not really set up to have high school games there," says Craig Develder of Vermillion.
"A lot of people go, and I don't think they could fit near as many people at our high school field," says Tanager fan Faith Acosta.
Negotiations are still underway.
But if an overtime is needed in order to come to an agreement, USD says, the tanagers can play one last season in the Dome.
A committee made up of school district board members, university staff, and community members are working towards a solution that would work for both schools.