WTC board discusses saving money for track complex

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Western Texas College board trustees may open a savings account to fund the construction of a track complex and lights at the baseball and softball fields.
After members of the college’s cross country team were introduced, head coach James Williams was asked how much it would cost to build a complex near Weaver Field. While he did not have up-to-date figures, it led board member Eddie Peterson to speak out.
“When I was a little boy, I would save money in order to buy something. I would not be able to get it unless I had the money,” he said during the informational items from board members portion of the agenda. “We need to do the same thing for our athletes. If we do not look to the future, then we will never have the money to (build a track or light the fields).”
Peterson said the college recorded $50,000 in interest in some accounts and suggested some of that money could be put aside. He added that the money could also be used to make needed repairs around campus.
“We need to anticipate what we need to do over the next five years and save for it,” he said. “We could put $5,000 to $10,000 aside and before you know it, we would have $50,000 in savings.”
Board member Drew Bullard said the college could start a matching fund campaign with the public for the track and lights.
“The track could be used by the community,” he said.
Bullard and other board members agreed that a track would help with the recruiting process.
“A lot of kids do not come here because we do not have a track,” Williams said. “But I keep telling them it is a work in progress.”
Bullard said the athletic programs are important to the college and the coaches attract “high-quality” student-athletes.
“When you cut down on our sports, it hurts the quality of your students. We saw that last time we cut down on sports,” Bullard said.
Board member Tim Riggan said a fundraising effort for light poles at the baseball and softball fields could include a nameplate of the donor. When the board last discussed lighting the fields, the cost was more than $300,000.
No action was taken following the discussion because it was not an agenda item.
Also on Monday, the board approved an amendment to its Comanche Trail Solar Project payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement. Due to economic conditions and pricing issues for renewable energy projects, the company was forced to delay construction. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2020, but has been pushed back to October 2021.
The college and company agreed to a 10-year PILOT of $1,020 per installed megawatt and the amendment calls for the first payment to be made in 2022.
One property trust sale was also approved by the board.
The closed session covering personnel or consulting with the board’s attorney was canceled.