News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham said the $100,000 donation to the university in Cookeville’s proposed budget hits the mark.
Oldham approached the city council earlier this year seeking financial support for Tucker Stadium renovations. Oldham said the project fits the synergistic relationship between the city and university.
“It’s one of the areas of campus that attracts a lot of outside guests to the community, and a lot of times for those visitors to Cookeville that’s the first place that they come to when they come to Cookeville for a ball game,” Oldham said.
Oldham said that’s why having a meaningful visit to the stadium is important for both parties. The project calls for new seating, suites and club level areas for the west side of the stadium.
“The better the community does, the better it is for Tech and vice versa,” Oldham said. “So as Tennessee Tech grows, and we’re able to attract more students. It helps the community economically and in terms of quality of life.”
Oldham said the university is currently selecting a design firm to lead the project. Oldham said a group should be chosen by the end of July.
“It’s really important to pick the right design team moving forward,” Oldham said. “We’ve got some really good architectural firms competing for this project right now. We should have the designers on board in the next few weeks.”
