Interesting. I don't work in Lafayette anymore, so I haven't tried to use the complex since this past Spring.
During my marathon training the past couple years, I would usually park there early in the mornings, mostly to use the facility for restroom and putting clothes/water bottle on the bleachers. I don't really like running in a circle (something that was an issue during track season for me! LOL).
I can see their reasoning, though.
FWIW, for the past couple years, I would sometimes access Cajun Field to run stadiums in the morning, if the coaches were their with the gate unlocked. No one ever said anything.
Just have patience. People who live near there can just go to the former horse farm once its turned into a park, I'm sure they'll have a long kitty litter track for the public to use. I agree with fellow poster, the track and field complex shouldn't be open for public use.
This is nothing new. It started with Silvey and passed on to the head soccer coach. It didn't bother Mahfouz as long as it didn't conflict with his teams training. He is now gone so I guess the soccer coach has got his wish and closed the facility to all.
The stadium has never been public but has historically been open to the public. I am sure that minor issues arise but I seriously doubt it had anything to do with the handful of people that use the track.
Cajun field and baseball field are not a true comparison. To me, this is a poor public relations move from a sport that has no real funding. If you build it they will come. If you run them off, they will not return.
Have they hired a new head coach yet? Surely they at least have a "short list" right now?
Indoor season starts in about two months.
I don't think it ought to be open to the "public". It might be possible to go by the athletic department and request special status for use of the facility. I know you are disappointed with the change of circumstance with your prior open use of the facility. but you have to agree that we need to protect our facilities from unauthorized intruders. It isn't just the vandalism but the looming liability issues. Blame the rogue public. not the school.
igeaux.mobi
What?
How is the track not the same as Cajun Field of Tigue Moore? Do you know how much money went into that track? We are not LSU who resurfaces their track every 3-4 years. It takes nearly 20 years to resurface a track that has a surface life of around 10 years.
This is not a high school track that is used only 3 months out of the year. This should not even be a 3 page thread, it is not public period.
It is public The public has been allowed to use it for years Ipso facto, public UL is a public University, we fund it, we patronize it, we care for it
igeaux.mobi
I worked for the university and use to get calls to run people off the track late at night. It is not public. No one stopped you from using it, this doesnt mean it's public. You just weren't told to leave. I understand your frustration, but it is not open to the public.
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