Northern Kentucky University’s partnership with FC Cincinnati is getting some love from the Kentucky General Assembly.
Last week, the Kentucky Senate proposed authorizing $16 million in bonding authority for the expansion and renovation of NKU’s soccer stadium, Scudamore Field, as part of the next two-year state budget. The bond authorization is included in the Senate substitute to the state budget bill, House Bill 6, but is not yet final.
A final budget is being negotiated this week between the Senate and House in a conference committee that is expected to wrap up its work in a few days.
The Senate proposal follows the February announcement of a partnership between NKU and FC Cincinnati. The major league soccer franchise announced in February that it had selected NKU as the permanent location of its reserve team, FC Cincinnati 2.
NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson noted the partnership in a March 13 campuswide state budget update, praising the Senate’s proposed support for the stadium and other priorities.
“Along with a partnership with FC Cincinnati, that would allow us to seek additional funds for the renovation to include new locker rooms, new turf on the current field, and a new practice field,” Short-Thompson said.
The NKU president has been enthusiastic about the partnership. In February, Short-Thompson posted on LinkedIn that she is “eager to partner with FC Cincinnati in mutually beneficial ways at NKU for years to come Big opportunities ahead!”
FC Cincinnati has been lobbying the Kentucky General Assembly this year ahead of final budget negotiations, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported on Feb. 22.
In her campuswide update last week, Short-Thompson acknowledged Senate leadership and “the entire Northern Kentucky legislative caucus for their support of NKU.
“As HB6 advances, I am optimistic and look forward to working with our representatives through the remainder of the legislative session,” she wrote.