An agreement with the city will allow Wabash College to open the doors of Little Giant Stadium.
The conditional certificate of occupancy gives the green light to small events in the new 3,550-seat venue while construction work continues on the parking lot. The Crawfordsville Board of Public Works and Safety voted 2-0 to approve the agreement Wednesday, with member Susan Albrecht abstaining because she’s a college employee.
“The stadium is basically complete, the parking is not,” said Mayor Todd Barton, adding that the agreement does not allow for larger events until the parking lot is finished.
Wabash is required under the agreement to set aside money for the parking lot. The conditional certificate expires July 31, 2021.
The college broke ground last year on the $13 million football stadium, which was on track for completion in time for Sept. 5’s season opener with Rose-Hulman. The football season was shelved due to COVID-19.
“If we’d had a football season, we would have it ready in September,” Wabash College President Dr. Scott Feller said in an interview earlier this week.
Once it became clear the season would be canceled due to COVID-19, Feller said contractors were given more time to finish the project.
The stadium, which will also host the college’s track and field team, features a new playing surface and all-weather track. Handicap accessibility and restroom facilities have also been upgraded.
“I think when people from Crawfordsville come to a game next fall at the Little Giant Stadium, they’re going to be amazed, and hopefully, you know, they can come this spring and see some fantastic track and field meets,” Feller said.
In other business, street commissioner Scott Hesler reported that leaf pickup continues. Crews are making multiple rounds in neighborhoods.
The board also approved:
• The 2021 wastewater budget, which increased nearly 2% over last year due to required phosphorus testing and health insurance costs.
• An agreement with Price Lawn & Landscaping for landscaping at Fusion 54 next year at a cost not to exceed $3,174.
• An agreement with STARTedUP Foundation Inc. for a new Fusion 54 entrepreneurship program launching in January at a cost not to exceed $5,000. The three local school districts are involved in the program.
• A request to place a dumpster on the street at 903 Sloan St. for seven days beginning Friday.
