Our View

Our View

War Memorial still has a lot to offer without Razorback football

As the old saying from a guy named Geoffrey Chaucer in 1374 goes, “All good things must come to an end,” is certainly apropos as it relates to the concerns over the status quo of the 68-year-old War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

To many Arkansans, War Memorial Stadium means a lot and they consider this multi-purpose facility a special place generations of Arkansans have enjoyed. For many years the stadium was the destination for hordes of Eastern Arkansans lucky enough to have game tickets to the biannual University of Arkansas Razorback football games. Sadly, UofA decision makers have reduced the number of Razorback football games to just one, and while the football team is committed to play in Little Rock through the fall of 2018, it is unknown if they will schedule any future games there.

The War Memorial Stadium Commission is facing the reality that their facility is in dire need of major upgrades and renovations, that they won’t be paid the $475,000 by the University of Arkansas in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 that it received in the past three seasons, and that they now face the likelihood of losing a large portion of the $895,171 from the state’s general fund in fiscal 2018.

If that should occur, commission Chairman Kevin Crass said such a cut in state revenue would have budget deficits of about $300,000 in each of fiscal 2019,’20 and ‘21.

As a viable solution, Gov. Asa Hutchinson wants the Legislature next year to move the War Memorial Stadium Commission under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Parks and Tourism.

Let us point out the Department of Parks and Tourism has a budget of about $150 million with about 760 full-time employees, while the War Memorial Stadium Commission has a budget of about $2.8 million and just six employees.

There is certainly no doubt whatsoever that this is an emotional issue, but one that responsible lawmakers, stadium commissioners and Arkansans must come to grips with and recognize the Department of Parks and Tourism would give the stadium more marketing and administrative support that is certainly much needed as well as more access to grant funding.

Gov. Hutchinson explained the situation by saying, “It is a natural fit with the Parks and Tourism being devoted to marketing tourism dollars, growing premier event all across the state, and attracting visitors to Arkansas as well as events.”

As he said, this is an example of an efficiency that expands the vision, the mission and the strength of War Memorial Stadium.

While the UofA Razorback football team only comes to Little Rock once a year, the stadium hosts one or more events at least 250 days a year. It is the home for the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes, Catholic High School Rockets, Little Rock Rangers. The Arkansas State University Red Wolves have in the past played a few games there, and the stadium and hosts the Arkansas Activities Association High School Football Championship Game in all classifications.

The point we believe Hutchinson is making is that the stadium, although in need of some serious upgrades, continues to be an important sporting event facility, attracts a considerable number of visitors and is a tremendous financial asset to Little Rock and North Little Rock’s tax base, restaurants, motels and retail businesses.

At this point in the stadium’s life it seems only natural that placing it under parks and tourism is in the best interest of all concerned.