LSU is moving forward with plans for a new $10 million “Tiger Band Complex” after design plans were approved Thursday by the LSU Board of Supervisors.
Construction could begin as soon as September for a late 2010 opening, said Emmett David, LSU’s facility development director, assuming anticipated state budget cuts do not impact the project.
“I think there’s a need to keep our fingers crossed,” said Sara Baird, interim dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. “But there’s certainly a tremendous amount of support for it.”
LSU spokesman Billy Gomila said that at this stage of budget uncertainty there is the possibility for every project to be delayed.
Don Fant and Blake Bergeron of Performance Architecture in New Orleans said the complex will include a new 19,500-square-foot band hall and an “iconic” observation tower that could complement LSU’s Memorial Tower.
The new band hall would be built at Aster Street next to the band practice field by Highland Road near the north gate of campus. The current 50-year-old band hall was built for 144 students. The marching band has 325 members.
The new band hall was originally supposed to be funded by $5 million in private funds and $5 million in state matching funds.
But, unable to raise much more than $1 million in private gifts, the athletics department worked out a deal to provide more than $4 million over three years from extra revenue from increased football ticket prices.
LSU Property and Facilities Committee Chairman Ben Mount said he is pleased with the creativity and cooperation that led to the funding.
“It’s going to be a great place for students to play, practice,” Mount said.
“It’s going to be a state-of-the-art facility.”
Baird said the ultimate goal is for a $17 million band complex with additional office and library space.
But the plan is to move forward with the first $10 million and then add onto the complex in the future, she said LSU has been offering fundraising gimmick deals such as the “Million Dollar Major,” so a donor can lead the Golden Band from Tigerland onto the field at Tiger Stadium for a $1 million gift.
