TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Kentucky Senate Shoots Down Rupp Arena Funding

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Posted by eleem (Member # 884) on 04-16-2014, 04:53 PM:

It is late so we will make this quick. The Senate is not going to pass the Rupp Arena funding proposal. After giving $75 million to the Yum Center and another $60 million in this session to the Louisville Convention Center, the Kentucky Senate has denied any funding for the new Rupp Arena project. The decision was lead by Senate President Robert Stivers, who earlier in the evening had said he was undecided on the project. We will look more into this tomorrow for details and discuss on the radio. This is a definite blow for the Rupp renovation and a big step in keeping UK behind Louisville on the facility/revenue side for the near future.

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Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 04-17-2014, 08:13 AM:

Not sure why Louisville gets funded and Lexington does not. One legislator stated that he wanted to see a long term contract that binds UK to Rupp arena. Not sure if that is why it didn't get passed.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 04-17-2014, 07:59 PM:

Vote them out!!! I can't but some of you guys can!

Posted by bayer (Member # 462) on 04-17-2014, 10:51 PM:

My guess is the main reason it did not pass was because of the abysmal mess surrounding the Chicken Bucket in Louisville. The State agreed to issue the bonds for it and now the special taxing district is not bringing in the taxes which were projected, UofL received such a sweet deal and bookings have not been what was projected (in part due to the UofL deal) and as a result the place is on the verge of financial collapse. IMO the Senate wanted to make sure the state did not get on the hook for two white elephants at the same time. They also did not want to run the risk of UK making a pitch for an on-campus facility, thus the request for a long-term lease with UK.