Questions and Answers

Q. How is UW-Stout's Recreation Athletic/Complex funded?

A. Funding to construct Stout's Recreation/Athletic Complex comes from the following sources:

University students (through an annual fee charged to each student)	$3,190,000	34.8%
Gifts (through the University Foundation)	3,154,000	34.5%
University Parking (through permit sales and meter revenue)	1,254,100	13.7%
University (receipts from Pepsi contract, etc)	626,000	6.8%
Menomonie School District ($35,000 yr/10 yrs)	350,000	3.8%
City of Menomonie ($35,000 yr/10 yrs)	350,000	3.8%
Dunn County ($15,000 yr/10 yrs)	150,000	1.6%
University Food Service	80,000	1.0%
Total Project Cost	$9,154,100	100%

Q. How is the Menomonie School District's $35,000 per year for 10 years used to fund the complex?

A. The District's commitment is for construction of the Recreation/Athletic Complex.

In order to fund a project of this magnitude it was necessary to borrow (through State bonding) approximately $6,620,000 for twenty years with interest rates varying from 4.5% to 5.52%. Annual payments on the borrowed amount total approximately $531,000. The Menomonie School District's ten year, $35,000 per year commitment to the construction of the complex will be applied against the $531,000 annual payments for the first 10 years of the twenty year bonds.

Q. Is the school district charged to use the stadium?

A. The School District is not charged to use Williams Stadium. There is no use or rental charge to the District. There are, however, costs associated with the District's events held at the Stadium such as clean-up, security, and facility supervision during an event. These are costs incurred by the University and are charged back to the District. Unlike the old Nelson Field facility, Williams Stadium has many special and different requirements relating to clean up, security, supervision, and safety. The School District's reimbursement to the University for these costs totaled $3,235.19 in 2001-02.

It should be noted that all users of Williams Stadium, even departments internal to the University, are required to pay reimbursement for these costs. Users other than the City, County, and School District are charged a rental fee in addition to the reimbursement of costs associated with use.

Q. Are there costs associated with the use of the stadium for which the School District is not charged?

A. Yes, the District does not pay for sewer and water, electric (field lights, etc.), parking, turf maintenance (the turf is swept before and after use, takes about 3 hours total), maintenance and repairs (except for damage as a result of a district event), administration, and facility and equipment depreciation (i.e. $1,000,000 turf replacement every 10-12 years).

Users other than the City, County, and School District pay rent to help cover some of these costs.

Q. How are food and beverage concessions handled in Williams Stadium?

A. The University policy is all food and beverage concessions in the Stadium must be provided by the University's Dining Service.

The arrangement with the High School Booster Club is that University Dining Service will provide the products, supervisory staff, and any labor not secured through volunteers. The Booster Club will provide the volunteers. As a result of this arrangement all profits from food and beverage concession sales will be split 50/50 between the Booster Club and the University Dining Service. During the 2001-02 year the Booster Club received $7,862.08 as a result of profit sharing associated with Williams Stadium concession sales during high school football and band events.

There are a number of reasons for the University's policy.

The Dining Service (which is funded by student fees,) spent $135,750 in the construction and equipping of the concessions facility. These costs need to be recovered by Dining Service.
Dining Service is responsible for all costs associated with maintenance, cleaning, repair and replacement of the concessions facility and equipment.
This policy minimizes the potential for food-borne illnesses by ensuring that proper food storage/handling, preparation, and service techniques are followed through the supervision of experienced and trained food service professionals.
To ensure State of Wisconsin Food Code requirements are met.
To assure compliance with University contractual agreements related to food and beverages (i.e. Pepsi contract).

Q. Does the High School keep all football gate receipts?

A. Yes, the High School keeps all football gate receipts. The High School Booster Club keeps receipts from blue seat (VIP seating) sales.

Q. What were the total gate receipts collected during the 2001-2002 Menomonie High School football season? (Including blue "VIP" seats.)

A. During the 2001-2002 football season, gate receipts were $3,000 for blue seats and $28,000 for general seating.

Q. Is the High School permitted to sell items other than food and/or beverages?

A. Yes, there are additional concession areas available to sell soft goods, souvenirs, etc. in Williams Stadium. High School clubs and organizations keep all receipts from these sales.

Q. How much does the school district still owe toward its commitment of $350,000?

A. The district paid its third installment on June 30, 2002. It still owes $245,000 toward this commitment.

Q. Why is the district's $35,000 per year payment credited as "a gift"?

A. The University accounts for all such contributions through the Stout University Foundation, Inc. Non-governmental contributions are tax-deductible.

Q. What is the estimated cost for the district to build a new stadium for the High School?

A. The cost is estimated to be at least $1,000,000. The school district has no plans to build another stadium.

Q. What are the priorities for use of the stadium?

A. Academics, collegiate competition, collegiate athletic practice, university recreation, and non-university groups.

Q. What is the level of access by the High School?

A. The High School enjoys a high level of access to the new stadium. 2001 data indicate the High School utilized the stadium 16 of the 45 days since the stadium opened last fall. The stadium is also available for use for the annual football scrimmage and JV games. The University accommodates requests for underclassmen games based upon the priorities for use established above.

Q. What are other football teams charged for the use of the stadium?

A. Other football teams are charged rent in addition to reimbursing the University for direct costs associated with their event (clean up, security, and backup).