UND has agreed to contribute $2 million to the cost of a new $3.9 million turf system at the Alerus Center, an offer the Grand Forks City Council voted to accept Tuesday.
"I don't think there's anything to negotiate," said member Doug Christensen.
However, member Tyrone Grandstrand voted against the agreement on the grounds the Council was not getting the information he wanted on the facility's revenue from hosting UND football games.
The Alerus Center is replacing its 11-year-old artificial turf with a new playing surface that is not as hard on athletes. The turf and related mechanical systems will cost $3.9 million.
In a Feb. 8 letter from UND President Robert Kelley to Events Center Commission Chairman Dwight Thompson, the university offered to pay an additional $2 million in rent to the Alerus Center over the next 10 years. It will pay at least $100,000 a year and pay the other $1 million at its discretion but within 10 years.
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The offer also extends UND's usage agreement for the facility by 10 years, the expected life of the new turf, Thompson said.
"As UND continues the transition into Division I, the importance of strengthening the Athletic program through access to top-notch competitive venues cannot be overemphasized," Kelley wrote.
Thompson said the flexible payment schedule helps UND while it faces uncertainty over how the debate over the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo will affect its athletic programs.
"They're concerned about conference play and other venue issues," he said.
Question of revenue
Grandstrand wanted figures from the Events Center Commission on likely per-game revenues from hosting UND football, saying they were necessary to justify the cost of installing the new turf.
"It would be nice to have that information now so we can make a decision on it," he said.
Other Council members objected delaying the project until the commission could give estimates, saying that the turf would not be installed in time for the next football season.
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"You're taking our biggest and most important tenant and dangling them in the wind," said Council President Hal Gershman.
The council voted to accept UND's offer and go forward with the project, with Grandstrand voting no.
Council Member Terry Bjerke also objected using city money "to fund an athletic program," but voted for the agreement.
Reach Bjorke at (701) 780-1117; (800) 477-6572, ext. 117; or send email to cbjorke@gfherald.com .
